WindFlip is a specialized barge for transporting offshore wind turbines. The barge
transports one fully assembled turbine, lying in a nearly horizontal position on
top of the deck of the barge. The barge is towed to the offshore site by a conventional
anchor handling vessel and its specialized hydrodynamic design enables speeds of
8 knots.
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WindFlip flipped 45 degrees
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Once at the offshore site, the distinctiveness of WindFlip is revealed.
The barge starts filling its ballast tanks, and the stern is consequently submerged.
The barge and the attached turbine flip 90 degrees until they are standing in vertical
position. The design of the barge is optimized to secure stability in all parts of the
flipping process.
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The anchor handling vessel used to tug the barge connects to the wind
turbine and the turbine is released from the barge. The turbine is towed to
its place in the park and installed using a pre-installed mooring system.
WindFlip returns to horizontal position by simply blowing out the ballast
water with compressed air, and can then return to collect a new turbine.