Strainstall Wins EEEGR Innovation Award

James Fisher and Sons plc’s group company Strainstall has been recognized for its approach to delivering improved safety and cost-effective solutions to the offshore wind industry.

Strainstall won the EEEGR Innovation Award 2015 for its Intelligent Fender System (IFS), which was assessed on its capability to deliver a contribution to the low carbon economy, show real innovation and add value to the industry.

Addressing key issues, IFS provides clarity and understanding of the live and cumulative impact forces exerted during transfer operations through vessel push-ons. The system also supports the ongoing challenge for cost-reduction in offshore wind by allowing optimisation of fuel consumption as well as helping to ensure the integrity of the turbine structures.

The development of IFS  sits within the concentrated effort of Strainstall to reinforce its presence as the leading load measurement solutions company worldwide. IFS can be used as a standalone system, which can be retro fitted to any vessel, or integrated into Strainstall’s pioneering Offshore Wind Management System (OWMS), to help deliver full operational insight for all offshore wind farm activities.

In attendance at the EEEGR event was Fern Doherty, GROW:OffshoreWind Investment Panel Manager, who commissioned GROW funding, which significantly boosted the development of IFS. Expressing her delight about the evening, Doherty said: “It was fantastic to be present at the event to see how this GROW supported project received industry acclaim and in turn reinforces the decision to support the financial development of the intelligent fender.”

IFSTM also delivers live feedback to skippers during vessel push-on operations enabling greater control to ensure that the foundation’s limits are not exceeded. The system consists of a sophisticated bow frame with integrated load sensors and its innovative design ensures maximum sensitivity and high levels of accuracy. The load sensors measure the forces generated by a vessel on multiple axis as it impacts upon the wind turbine and can quantify bow fender friction levels as well as impact and push-on forces. This data can is then transmitted in real time to the bridge and can also be sent to shore if required for analysis.