A rock-climbing enthusiast who has led the development of a hoist that can make it easier to access wind turbines in rough conditions offshore has won backing from a Danish renewable energy giant for his plan to go global.
Ørsted is making a multi-million pound investment in a business formed with Phil Taylor to commercialise the ‘Get up Safe’ hoist developed in Scotland.
Describing the hoist system as game-changing, Orsted said it could provide a more efficient, safe and cost-effective way of transferring technicians onto offshore wind turbines.
Read more: £1.6bn windfarm deal boost for North Sea
The hoist allows technicians to scale turbine towers without using ladders. It is secured with a fixing that compensates for the movements caused by waves to ease movement between service vessels and turbines.
Ørsted said that by allowing the complete removal of access ladders and boat landing metalwork from the side of offshore turbines the technology could save huge quantities of steel and associated costs.
It has spent two years working on the system with the Limpet Technology venture. Edinburgh-based Limpet's directors include Mr Taylor, whose interest in rope access issues developed out of his passion for rock climbing.
Limpet's system for working at height was originally developed by Mr Taylor’s father as a rope management system for rock climbing indoors.
Limpet won support for the development of the GUS system from Scottish Enterprise and collaboration from Strathclyde university. It completed resting work on the Fife demonstrator turbine owned by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult research body.
Read more: Renewables hit a milestone as prices tumble
Mr Taylor said: “We have hugely benefited from the local expertise that exists in Scotland for Offshore Wind and owe a great deal to Scottish Enterprise and the ORE Catapult.”
He added: “ The experience and knowledge of Ørsted, the world’s largest offshore wind developer, has also been instrumental in bringing this new technology to market.
Ørsted has taken a 22.5 per cent stake in the Pict Offshore venture with the rest held by shareholders in Limpet.
Mr Taylor is managing director of Pict Offshore.
Ørsted has interests in 11 windfarms off the UK, including London Array. The company says this is currently the biggest windfarm in the world.
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