On January 12, Rentel NV transports its offshore transformer substation from the assembly yard in Saint-Nazaire (France) to the Rentel wind farm concession in the North Sea. This offshore transformer substation is the beating heart of the wind farm. It collects and stabilizes the produced wind energy, transforms the energy to 220 kV high voltage and conducts the electricity to the main land. The offshore transformer substation consists of a large steel building with 4 deck levels, weights 1,100 Tonnes and is designed to endure the extreme weather conditions in the North Sea. The installation of the offshore transformer substation is expected to be completed in Spring 2018. As from mid-2018, the Rentel wind farm will produce green energy for 300,000 households.
Installing the offshore transformer substation
Starting on January 12, the offshore transformer substation for the Rentel wind farm will leave the assembly yard of manufacturer STX France in Saint-Nazaire. Then, the offshore transformer substation will be installed in the Rentel wind farm concession in the North Sea, on a foundation placed in September 2017. The offshore transformer substation consists of a large steel building with 4 deck levels and weights 1,100 Tonnes. The design, fabrication and installation of the offshore transformer substation are part of an EPCI-contract between Rentel NV and STX France.
Beating heart of the wind farm
The offshore transformer substation collects and stabilizes the power generated by the offshore wind farm in the North Sea. The main system consists of a power transformer and high voltage switchgear. “The substation is the beating heart of our wind farm. It transforms the produced wind energy to 220 kV high voltage and conducts the electricity to the main land, so we can deliver our Belgian green energy to consumers”, says CEO Nathalie Oosterlinck.
Built to endure extreme weather conditions
The offshore transformer substation is designed and built to survive the extreme weather conditions in the North Sea. The bottom of the substation is placed around 20 meters above the sea level and rests on a 1,850 Tonne heavy foundation, which has been fixed 40 meters below the seabed. All ancillary and auxiliary systems were designed to ensure a safe operationof the offshore transformer substation during extreme weather conditions.
