Offshore wind turbine assembly vessel

A method for assembling wind turbines on a wind turbine assembly vessel, using a wind turbine assembly vessel, wherein the wind turbine assembly vessel comprises:

• a floating hull;
• a foundation restraint system;
• a wind turbine components storage deck, for storing components of a wind turbine;
• at least one wind turbine assembly station;
• and
• a wind turbine installation crane, mounted on the floating hull, wherein the wind turbine installation crane has at least one assembly side facing the at least one wind turbine assembly station, and has an installation side,
• wherein the method comprises:
• moving one or more wind turbine components from the wind turbine components storage deck to the at least one wind turbine assembly station;
• engaging a floating foundation with the foundation restraint system;
• reducing movement of the floating foundation relative to the vessel and/or monitoring the movement of the floating foundation relative to the vessel;
• and
• using the installation crane to:
• perform one or more assembly steps;
• support the assembled wind turbine at the assembly side and arranging the assembled wind turbine from the assembly station into the mounting position, above a wind turbine foundation adjacent the vessel, at the installation side of the installation crane;
• and
• lower the assembled wind turbine onto the foundation.

A method for assembling wind turbines on a wind turbine assembly vessel, using a wind turbine assembly vessel, wherein the wind turbine assembly vessel comprises:

• a floating hull;
• a wind turbine components storage deck, for storing components of a wind turbine, a lower mast part, an upper mast part, a rotor assembly;
• at least one wind turbine assembly station;
• and
• an installation crane, mounted on the floating hull, wherein the installation crane has at least one assembly side facing the at least one wind turbine assembly station, and has an installation side,
• wherein the method comprises:
• moving one or more wind turbine components from the wind turbine components storage deck to the at least one wind turbine assembly station;
• a blade mounting process for mounting the blades to the nacelle, the blades mounting process comprising one or more of the steps of:
• lifting a first blade into a fastening position adjacent the nacelle, mounting the first blade to the nacelle, and rotating the nacelle into a successive installation position;
• lifting a second blade into a fastening position adjacent the nacelle, mounting the second blade to the nacelle, and rotating the nacelle into a successive installation position;
• and
• lifting a third blade into a fastening position adjacent the nacelle, and mounting the third blade to the nacelle;
• and
• using the installation crane to:
• perform one or more assembly steps;
• support the assembled wind turbine at the assembly side and arranging the assembled wind turbine from the assembly station into the mounting position, above a wind turbine foundation adjacent the vessel, at the installation side of the installation crane;
• and
• lower the assembled wind turbine onto the foundation.