As offshore wind turbines grow larger and project scales expand, the demands on every component, especially bolted connections, are intensifying. Gaizka Arregi, Commercial Manager at ERREKA Smart Fastening, discusses how decades of experience, digital monitoring and automation are reshaping joint integrity, driving efficiency and defining the future of offshore engineering.
PES: Thank you for joining us Gaizka, at a time when the offshore wind industry is scaling up rapidly. From your perspective, what are the biggest technical challenges around bolted connections as turbines and structures get larger?
Gaizka Arregi: Larger turbines are subject to greater static and dynamic loads. The challenge lies in optimizing the bolted connection from different perspectives: size, cost and handling.
This optimization must consider component handling and the tooling required, as these operations are time-consuming in offshore environments. A holistic approach is needed, covering joint design, tightening tools, handling procedures and the reliability required to meet increasing load demands.