Phase 1 of the BOD Project (Blyth Offshore Demonstrator) – Characteristics

The construction of the Blyth offshore wind farm demonstrator, developed by EDF Energy Renewables, the 50-50 joint venture between EDF Energies Nouvelles and EDF Energy started in June 2016. The park final location is 5.7 km off Northumberland County, in the north-east of England.

The wind farm will have the following characteristics:

  • Maximum capacity of 99.9 MW
  • 5 MHI Vestas V164 8 MW wind turbines, optimized to provide a maximum power of 8.3 MW
  • 15,000-tonne gravity based foundations (once installed)
  • 11 km of 66 kV underground cables connecting the wind turbines to the coast,  and 1.5 km of additional terrestrial cables to connect wind farm to the substation
  • Cathodic anti-corrosion protection system by sacrificial anodes
  • Life duration of 26 years
  • Point height : 191.5 meters

Innovation

This project is innovative as it uses state-of-the-art technologies : gravity based foundations (GBFs), 66kV standard for the electrical infracstructure, and the latest-generation very high power wind turbines.

The design, manufacture and installation of the five gravity based foundations (GBFs) were entrusted to Royal BAM in June 2016. The foundations are innovative because they are made up of a reinforced concrete foundation combined with a steel monopile. This technology allows the installation of the wind turbine at a depth of up to 45 meters.

The installation is based on a unique self-installation method based on a “float and submerge” method developed by the Royal BAM group. Brought to the site by flotation, the wind turbines are then ballasted and submerged in a 1000-ton mixture of sand and water. This technology, used for the first time in the word at Blyth, also eliminates noise caused during pile driving and has saved the associated cost.

Moreover, the inclusion of the monopile in the concrete caisson makes it impossible to inspect the monopile underwater and impose the upstream installation of a reliable corrosion protection system. In the case of Blyth, a sacrificial anode system was developed by Elsyca to prevent internal and external corrosion.

Timeline

 April 2017

The transition pieces were welded to the gravity foundations at the Neptune Dry Wharf in Newcastle.

July 2017

Ground work on the first 41.5 MW step, consisting of five wind turbines, began with the construction of the first gravity based foundation at the Neptune site in Newcatle.

Between July and August 2017

The five foundations left Newcastle and were delivered and on the final site after a journey along the Tyne River. They were then immersed on a gravel bed on site after being filled with a mixture of sand and water.

September 2017

The first wind turbine in Blyth Park was installed on the final site. The wiring is carried out by VBMS

June 2018

EDF Group officially opened the 41.5MW Blyth Offshore Demonstrator wind farm on Friday, 22 June.

The wind farm comprises five MHI Vestas 8.3MW wind turbines

It will supply around 34,000 British households with electricity.

 

Phase 2 of the BOD Porject

Edf Renewables is already planning phase 2 of the extension of the Blyth site. The company hopes to increase the power to 100 MW by doubling the number of turbines currently in place, and plans to be operational by spring 2025.

Project characteritics :

  • Number of new turbines : 5
  • Location : 14 km from the coast
  • Depth : about 55 meters
  • Construction on floating substructures under study

Edf Renewables wants to showcase innovative technologies capable of reducing the cost of floating and fixed offshore wind developments, so that the UK will soon only depend on clean energy. This is why the company is working with a number of suppliers and research organizations specializing in offshore systems for this project, whose launch schedule has not yet been finalized.

 

Your comments on this synthesis: