The ATOMS technology
The ATOMS platform is an innovative, semi-submersible barge technology, allowing for on-site major corrective maintenance on fixed-bottom as well as floating offshore wind turbines without the use of a jack-up vessel.
How does it work
The ATOMS platform is easily mobilized with the help of a standard tugboat. Once the platform is close to the wind turbine, an approach winch system guides it safely to the turbine structure. Here, the ATOMS technology couples directly to the turbine structure itself. After coupling, the ATOMS platform sits stable with fixed-bottom turbines and moves synchronously with floating turbines, allowing the crane work to begin on either technology. When the correctives work has been completed, the ATOMS platform simply decuples and is towed back to shore by the tugboat. The coupling system is easily adapted such that the same ATOMS platform can connect to different turbine structures – no changes or adaptations are made to the turbine itself.
Synergies with the
Liftra Self-Hoisting Crane
The ATOMS platform enables the use of Liftra’s up-tower crane technologies. It is the vast synergies arising from this unique technology combination, that allows us to solve the pain points of major correctives within the offshore wind industry.
Learn more about how the Self-Hoisting Crane works here:
Our combined ATOMS platform & Self-Hoisting Crane solution
brings significant benefits to multiple industry stakeholders:
Complete solution
SOLVE delivers a complete technology solution - no other specialized equipment is needed.
Jones-Act friendly
With its simple design, the ATOMS platform is easier, faster, and cheaper to produce than a large jack-up vessel. This is particularly beneficial for Jones Act compliant operations in the U.S.A.
A green solution
Transported by just a tugboat, the carbon footprint from mobilization is much lower than that of a large jack-up vessel. Once on site, operations are emission-free as Liftra’s crane technology is battery powered and charged directly from the turbine.
Embraces tall wind turbines
Tall turbines have historically been more expensive to service as larger cranes (and thus larger jack-up vessels) are needed for taller turbines. Liftra’s Self-Hoisting Crane technology eliminates hub height as a cost driver by utilizing the turbine’s existing structure instead of deploying a large structure next to it.
Designed for the future
SOLVE’s solution works for floating as well as fixed-bottom turbines and can easily be adapted between turbines.
Economic sustainability
As a low-CAPEX solution, our technology is easily deployed in greater numbers to cover local regions rather than a global setup. Apart from enabling improved response times, a local focus also contributes to sustainable local economies, where the operational staff is employed from the areas neighboring the offshore sites.
Deep sea friendly
The ATOMS technology creates a stable platform by coupling to the turbine structure itself. This eliminates the typical challenges of evaluating the seabed and depth when using jack-up vessels.
Cost-efficient
We contribute to a lower LCOE for offshore wind - our combined technology is both low-OPEX and low-CAPEX compared to current best practices.
Next generation platforms are underway
SOLVE Wind is founded by Esteyco & Liftra
Production of 1st generation ATOMS technology begins.
Demonstration of 1st generation ATOMS technology
1st generation ATOMS for operations and maintenance
Commercial operations with 1st generation ATOMS technology, targeting O&M work for fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind turbines up to 4MW.
2nd generation ATOMS for operations and maintenance
Release of 2nd generation ATOMS technology, targeting O&M work for fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind turbines. Suitable for turbines up to 15MW.
3rd generation ATOMS for installation, operations and maintenance
Release of 3rd generation ATOMS technology for installation and O&M of fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind turbines. Suitable for +15MW turbines.