safer, faster & more efficient wind energy solutions samson...keith rowsey dsm dyneema (704)...

Keith Rowsey

DSM Dyneema

(704) 915-1965

[email protected]

www.dyneema.com

Isaac Rosenberg

Samson

(360) 384-4669

[email protected]

www.samsonrope.com

A New Look at Lifting:Safer, Faster & More Efficient Wind Energy Solutions

DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of HMPE fiber, branded as Dyneema®. For more than 25

years, DSM Dyneema has provided innovative solutions to the offshore and marine industries with

products like Dyneema® SK78, and its ideal creep properties, being used in a variety of applications.

Dyneema® can be used to lash wind turbine blades, lift heavy monopiles and anchor installation barges

and tension leg platforms. The fiber’s inherent properties make it as strong as steel wire, but seven

times lighter. Ropes and slings made with Dyneema® enable wind farms to be installed faster and safer,

while simultaneously reducing the risk of damaged cargo and operator injury. With barge rental fees

reaching upwards of $70,000 per day, time saved equals money earned.

Compared to other commercially available HMPE fibers, Dyneema® SK78 offers

superior performance, making it preferable to use in a variety of wind power

applications.

Dyneema® in Wind Power

Synthetic slings, fabricated from Samson’s flagship AmSteel®-Blue technology, offer a compelling

alternative to traditional lifting methods. Made with Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber, AmSteel®-

Blue provides the same strength as slings made with steel wire, with an 85 percent weight reduction at similar diameters – yielding considerable operational efficiencies.

AmSteel®-Blue rope slings were used to install 140 monopiles off the coast of

England. The inherent properties of Dyneema® made it lighter and easier to

handle than steel wire or cable laid slings.

Wind farm construction is safer, simpler & cost-efficient with Dyneema®

Slings made with Dyneema® mitigate

the potential damage to the

monopiles during their transfer from

the supply barge to the installation

vessel, reducing the risk of operator

injury and creating cost efficiencies.

©Samson Rope Technologies

Craneless lifting system replaces wind turbine blades

When a wind turbine manufacturer was faced with the need to replace several blades in various locations,

they contacted Samson for an alternative solution to steel wire and mobile crane lifting systems. Replacing the blades on a wind turbine is not an easy task – blades range from 40-60 meters in length and

can weigh more than 16 tons. Combining these factors with prevailing winds, operating costs and

scheduling challenges can become a major expense in terms of time and capital.

The wind turbine manufacturer was able to devise a craneless blade replacement system using Samson’s

high performance synthetic ropes made with Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber. Using a purpose-

built, portable, skid-mounted winch system capable of both hoisting and controlling the blade as it moved

into position on the hub, blades were changed without the need for a mobile crane.

The craneless lifting system saves an estimated $150,000 to $200,000 in mobile

crane costs per job, with safer and more efficient operations.

Steel-wire rope was initially considered for the system; however, the heavy weight of the steel made it

infeasible. Ropes made with Dyneema® fiber are typically 85 percent lighter than steel-wire ropes,

making them easier to handle and reducing the demands on the winch. In addition, the use of ropes made

with Dyneema® created a better D/d ratio, allowing for the use of smaller snatch blocks for the multiple-

part main hoist line, saving weight and enabling the crew to hoist much faster within the space

constraints of the rotor’s hub.

The Samson solution, made with Dyneema®:

TrawlSteel-Blue™, a 12-strand single braid made

with Dyneema® fiber, was used for the winch line to

prevent diving on the drum.

AmSteel®-Blue, Samson’s flagship 12-strand single

braid with a proven track record of strength and

durability, was used for the control line based on it’s

reliability.

Control-DPX™, a 12-strand rope made with

Dyneema® fiber and Samson’s patented DPX™

technology, was used for the tag lines since these

were operated on capstans and required a higher

coefficient of friction.

The overall result was a more efficient

operation. All of the ropes performed

well and are being used for multiple

blade replacement projects.


The development and installation of offshore wind farms can span decades, with billions of dollars

invested to create carbon-neutral, renewable electricity. In order to provide peak performance offshore,

wind turbines can be mounted on top of “monopiles,” which are comprised of a steel base weighing more

than 650 metric tons and measuring upwards of 65 meters. In one such installation, the operating

company determined that transporting the monopiles with traditional steel wire and chain lifting systems

created additional risks in terms of safety, time and resources.




Benefits of slings made with Dyneema® SK78:

Mitigates the potential damage to the monopiles

during transportation.

Synthetic slings can be handled by four workmen,

compared to the eight needed for traditional steel

wire rope slings.

Wire strands in traditional lifting systems have the

tendency to snap and create “fishhooks” over time – increasing the risk of injury to workers’ hands,

arms, shoulders and backs.

Dyneema® SK78 is naturally resistant to UV,

chemicals, abrasion and salt, making it ideal in

subsea applications and prolonging product usage.

Lightweight slings enable more efficient operations,

requiring fewer barge rentals.


safer, faster & more efficient wind energy solutions samson...keith rowsey dsm dyneema (704)...

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