MaXccess System successfully passes E.ON wind farm trials

E.ON has now successfully trialled the novel access system MaXccess, developed by the innovative UK based company OSBIT Power. The trials took place at the E.ON offshore wind farm Scroby Sands on the east coast of England.

Safely transferring personnel from vessels on to turbines is a well-known concern and challenge in offshore wind. Urban Keussen, Senior Vice President of Technology & Innovation at E.ON comments “We identified safe transfer in offshore wind as an area in which we wanted to accelerate technical development. This is an innovative solution that could be used in commercial operation in the near-term”.

The MaXccess system provides a stable platform from which personnel can transfer to and from boat landing ladders mounted on turbine foundation structures. With the new MaXccess system, improved access can now also be achieved for smaller crew vessels.

E.ON will now analyse the results from the trials in greater detail, with the hope of being able to transfer personnel safely in rougher weather conditions in the near future.

Michael Lewis, Chief Operating Officer of E.ON’s wind business concludes:

“Finding better solutions for offshore access is very important. Not only has this solution got the potential to improve safety for our personnel, but to also improve productivity by increasing the availability of our wind turbines”.