UK vector award for floating pontoon application

"Once again, this year’s vector awards have attracted an extremely high standard of entries from UK engineers,” says Justin Leonard, director at igus.  "We specifically chose Cameron Forecourt as they demonstrated a novel use for our energy chain cable carriers, in an unusual and challenging application.”

Cameron Forecourt is using igus energy chain to supply a floating pontoon for DONG Energy that is used to service its boats which are used in the construction of a wind farm off the North West coast of England. The 90MW Barrow Offshore Wind Farm, developed by DONG Energy and Centrica, is located in the East Irish Sea and its annual production is around 305 GW/h, enough to meet the demand of around 65,000 British households.

The igus energy chain cable carriers are the umbilical cord of the floating pontoon, ensuring a safe and reliable supply of electrical power, water and fuel at the harbour at Barrow-in-Furness, even in rough seas and with an 11 metre tide. By using the igus energy chains all the services are accommodated in one place in a very safe, reliable and neat arrangement. The energy chain is fastened at both ends – on the harbour wall at the top, fed from a 60,000 litre double-skin bunded tank, and on the pontoon at its lower end. When the pontoon lifts with the tide, its movement is accommodated by the curve in the igus energy chain. All the wires, cables and pipes are guided and protected by the energy chain, preventing damage and removing hazards for those working on the pontoon or boarding the ships.

"The floating pontoon application stood out as being an exceptional use of our cable management systems and we are delighted to be presenting Cameron Forecourt with the UK vector award,” continues Justin.  "The winning entry demonstrates the diversity of energy chain applications and the ever more challenging environments where they are being used.”