On 25 April, the Slip Joint foundation was successfully installed at the Borssele Wind Farm Site V. The Slip Joint is an alternative connection between foundation elements, a monopile and a transition piece. It consists of two conical sections placed on top of each other.The Slip Joint is based on friction, with the weight ensuring firmness and stability. Installation takes place by sliding the wind turbine’s foundation elements over the monopile, without having to use grout or bolts. Unlike standard solutions, the Slip Joint makes a submerged connection possible, allowing for a more balanced weight distribution between monopile and transition piece. The (conical) sections that make the connection are produced using standard manufacturing methods.
The Borssele Wind Farm Site V is a new sustainable energy zone some 20 kilometres off the Dutch coast, which is designated as an innovation site within the Borssele Wind Farm Zone and the project consists of two 9.5MW wind turbines. Two Towers BV, consisting of Van Oord, Investri Offshore and Green Giraffe, has been awarded the project and given an opportunity to introduce technologies for commercial application in future offshore wind farms with larger turbines and in deeper waters and to demonstrate the practical value. The other technologies demonstrated at the Borssele V Site are Thermally Sprayed Aluminium (TSA), Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) optimisation, oval cable entry holes and Eco-friendly scour protection.
