On 7 December over 70 IRO members enjoyed a windy afternoon at Sif in Rotterdam. After the presentations of Tim Raaijmakers from Deltares, Martin Weissmann from InnovatieLink and Michel Kurstjens from Sif, there was a guided tour at Sif’s huge facility at Maasvlakte 2.
• Deltares helps developers, builders and managers of renewable energy installations to optimise efficiency. On the basis of applied research, we develop innovative technologies a.o. in offshore wind. They support the industry by researching e.g. Alternative wind turbine support structures, Pile installation techniques and Metocean conditions and Operational forecasting. • SMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises) play an important role in innovation. Innovations which are necessary to change the Netherlands into a sustainable society. In the existing maze of funding schemes and partnerships it can be a challenge for SMEs to realize their innovation ambitions. InnovatieLink helps SMEs in the chemical, energy and biobased sectors with their questions and problems on their way from concept to market.
Sif’s new assembly and coating site at Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam was officially opened on Friday 29 September 2017. Now that the second production line is operational, Sif has increased its production capacity to 300 kilotonnes per year. Steel cylinders and cones are rolled and welded in Roermond, which are then assembled into complete monopiles in Rotterdam. With a diameter of up to 11 metres, a length of up to 120 metres, and weight of around 2000 tonnes, the monopiles are subsequently coated in one of four coating halls, before being stored at our 42 ha site. The site now has two production lines in operations, capable of producing 4 complete monopiles every week.
Moreover, the site features a unique wharf, with a load capacity of 10 tonnes/m2 and a depth of 16.5 metres, specially constructed by the Port of Rotterdam. This allows to two installation vessels to load monopiles and transition pieces at the same time.
