ClassNK to host floating offshore wind round table event

16 September, 2016 – ClassNK, Japan’s leading international certification and classification society, will host a round table discussion about floating wind technologies on the sidelines of Wind Energy Hamburg (WEH) on 26 September.

“ClassNK is one of the world’s leading classification societies, boasting over a century of technical experience in the maritime sector,” says Hirofumi Takano, Director of Innovation Division at ClassNK.

“Using our extensive technical experience in ship classification, ClassNK began offering classification and certification services for wind turbines in 2011 and since have played a key role in supporting the development of Japan’s nascent floating offshore wind industry in order to support a transition towards cleaner energy.”

An exciting panel of leaders from this growing global market segment — including University of Tokyo Prof. Takeshi Ishihara, as well as Principle Power CEO Joao Metelo — will share their insights from industry projects such as Fukushima Forward, the world’s largest offshore floating wind project, as well as discussing solutions for cost optimization.

This unique event — to be held in cooperation with Recharge magazine — will also provide an opportunity for participants to learn about ClassNK’s extensive expertise in the certification of wind turbines for offshore projects, particularly for installation in East Asia, where complex site and weather conditions present more technical challenges.

ClassNK has played a key role in ensuring the ongoing success of all offshore floating wind demonstration projects in Japan through its certification and classification services carried out in line with related technical standards and its own independently developed Guidelines for Offshore Floating Wind Turbine Structures. ClassNK released the Guidelines in 2012 to provide the industry with specific requirements to support the installation of wind turbines technically adapted to operate in more challenging meteorological conditions.

While offshore wind has the potential to generate substantial quantities of energy more cheaply than other renewable energies, the industry still faces challenges including cost optimization and the streamlining of offshore maintenance and repair operations.

The ClassNK Floating Offshore Wind Round Table in Hamburg will therefore provide a valuable opportunity for the global leaders of the floating wind industry to share their knowledge and insight on best practices and emerging challenges that will need to be overcome in the years ahead.
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ClassNK Floating Offshore Wind Round Table
Date: 26 September, 2016
Time: 5pm – 8:30pm
Venue: Hafen-Klub in Hamburg, on the sidelines of Wind Energy Hamburg
Panel:
University of Tokyo Prof. Takeshi Ishihara, leader of the Fukushima Forward consortium
Principle Power CEO Joao Metelo
Masaharu Itoh, Director General of offshore wind and ocean energy at the New Energy Technology Department Organization (NEDO)
Stephan Mayer, team leader of hybrid-tower and foundation certification at TÜV SÜD
Dr. Akihiro Suzuki, director of the Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA)
Takashi Matsunobu, chief project manager at Hitachi
Darius Snieckus, editor-in-chief of Recharge magazine