Decom Tools – Eco-innovative concepts for the end of offshore wind energy farms lifecycle

Most wind turbines are designed and certified for a 20–25 year service life. After this period, they have to be decommissioned or the accredited operational lifetime has to be extended, often accompanied by repowering (partial refurbishment).

While processes for decommissioning/repowering onshore wind parks are well known, the experience with offshore ones is limited. So far only Ytrre Stengrund (Sweden) and Vindeby (Denmark) have been dismantled, plus 2 single near-shore turbines, namely Windfloat 1 (Portugal) and Hooksiel (Germany) and 4 turbines at the Lely farm (Holland).  

This project shall close this gap by devising and developing eco-innovative concepts.

Project Figures

Project DecomTools is funded by the INTERREG VB North Sea Region program and the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) with a funding volume of 4.7 million euros. The project started in August 2018 and will end in January 2023. The consortium includes the University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer as lead partner and 13 partners from the Netherlands, Denmark, UK, Belgium and Norway.

DecomTools Consortium

University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer – Germany, 
Hamburg Institute of International Economics – Germany,
Maritime and Logistics Innovation Denmark / MARLOG – Denmark,
Energy Cluster Denmark – Denmark,
AG Haven Oostende – Belgium,
POM West Vlaanderen – Belgium,
Grenaa Havn – Denmark,
Die Lauwershorst Groep – The Netherlands,
Virol Metaal B.V. – The Netherlands,
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences – Norway, Aberdeen – Scotland,
New Energy Coalition – The Netherlands,
Marine Scotland Licensing Operations Team – Scotland

Authors:
Maik Schmeltzpfenning, Vi Le

Date:
22. March 2022

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