Mr. Brandt, Deutsche Windtechnik has been responsible for the maintenance of the transformer substation since June 201M, and
it is also taking on the same rôle for the other structures on the offshore wind farm - with the exception of the wind turbines. What
does that mean specifîcally?
Siemens has signed a full maintenance contract with the operator, OWP Butendiek GmbH, for the 80
wind turbines for at least five years. For outsiders that must sound as if the operator has nothing left to
worry about. Wide of the mark! Apart from the turbines, there is also the transformer substation which
represents a completely separate challenge and for which we are providing the service. We hâve also
received the job of maintaining and servicing ail other components.
At what point in the plant does full maintenance for Siemens end, therefore? Or to put it another way: Where does your work or your
area of responsibility begin?
According to Siemens' own définition, their offshore turbine finishes with the top edge of the transition piece. This is a much unknown, new concept that might hâve a ten times greater impact offshore
than on land. It is obvious, therefore, that this concept was the subject of délicate discussions, also
because before Butendiek there was no exact maintenance plan for it. Drawing up this plan and discussing in detail what we as Deutsche Windtechnik hâve to do below the flange on which the tower is
mounted, made the taskveryintriguing. For example, there are many more components installed belowthe
flange such as communications eguipment, NavAid, anodes for corrosion protection, safety Systems
and ventilation eguipment, to name just a few, which we hâve to look after. For us this is a fantastic
challenge. We are confident that we can deliver as we hâve so often done similar things on land successfully.
Nevertheless, it sounds like a lot of "new territory"...
Yes, that's true. Because there are no standards. For Butendiek, too, the first individual procedures
hâve to be developed. We initially, therefore, presented our conceptual approach to the taskto the operator, OWP Butendiek GmbH B Do. KG. After that there were lengthy negotiations over numerous contractual arrangements. The operator examined in detail which of the bidders was best able to meet the
range of reguirements specified. In the end we were awarded the whole package. Before this contract,
we had already been involved for a period of two years with smaller orders. They concerned consultancy services in the fields of guality management, health, safety and the environment [QHSE for short]
where among other things we also supported the production monitoring of machines and rotor blades.
The transformer substation was erected on its previously installed foundations in May 201*1. The service work of Windtechnik staff
began immediately thereafter long before the first electricity was generated. Why so early?
A transformer substation constitutes an overall concept designed by wpd and the manufacturer
joint venture, for the spécial reguirements of the Butendiek wind farm. This is a unigue specimen,
not a mass-produced item. In the process, many components from other companies were integrated
whether it be the transformer, diesel generator, heating System or the ventilation System. There is no
single person who has a good command of everything. That is why we were happy to take on the job
of monitoring and looking after the overall System with our various experts from different disciplines.
Employées of ours and one time I myself continuously observed the assembly of the transformer sub69
it is also taking on the same rôle for the other structures on the offshore wind farm - with the exception of the wind turbines. What
does that mean specifîcally?
Siemens has signed a full maintenance contract with the operator, OWP Butendiek GmbH, for the 80
wind turbines for at least five years. For outsiders that must sound as if the operator has nothing left to
worry about. Wide of the mark! Apart from the turbines, there is also the transformer substation which
represents a completely separate challenge and for which we are providing the service. We hâve also
received the job of maintaining and servicing ail other components.
At what point in the plant does full maintenance for Siemens end, therefore? Or to put it another way: Where does your work or your
area of responsibility begin?
According to Siemens' own définition, their offshore turbine finishes with the top edge of the transition piece. This is a much unknown, new concept that might hâve a ten times greater impact offshore
than on land. It is obvious, therefore, that this concept was the subject of délicate discussions, also
because before Butendiek there was no exact maintenance plan for it. Drawing up this plan and discussing in detail what we as Deutsche Windtechnik hâve to do below the flange on which the tower is
mounted, made the taskveryintriguing. For example, there are many more components installed belowthe
flange such as communications eguipment, NavAid, anodes for corrosion protection, safety Systems
and ventilation eguipment, to name just a few, which we hâve to look after. For us this is a fantastic
challenge. We are confident that we can deliver as we hâve so often done similar things on land successfully.
Nevertheless, it sounds like a lot of "new territory"...
Yes, that's true. Because there are no standards. For Butendiek, too, the first individual procedures
hâve to be developed. We initially, therefore, presented our conceptual approach to the taskto the operator, OWP Butendiek GmbH B Do. KG. After that there were lengthy negotiations over numerous contractual arrangements. The operator examined in detail which of the bidders was best able to meet the
range of reguirements specified. In the end we were awarded the whole package. Before this contract,
we had already been involved for a period of two years with smaller orders. They concerned consultancy services in the fields of guality management, health, safety and the environment [QHSE for short]
where among other things we also supported the production monitoring of machines and rotor blades.
The transformer substation was erected on its previously installed foundations in May 201*1. The service work of Windtechnik staff
began immediately thereafter long before the first electricity was generated. Why so early?
A transformer substation constitutes an overall concept designed by wpd and the manufacturer
joint venture, for the spécial reguirements of the Butendiek wind farm. This is a unigue specimen,
not a mass-produced item. In the process, many components from other companies were integrated
whether it be the transformer, diesel generator, heating System or the ventilation System. There is no
single person who has a good command of everything. That is why we were happy to take on the job
of monitoring and looking after the overall System with our various experts from different disciplines.
Employées of ours and one time I myself continuously observed the assembly of the transformer sub69