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NDT & Inspection Services for Wind Foundation Manufacture

Non-Destructive Testing & Inspection Services for Wind Foundation Manufacture

The offshore wind industry has emerged as a transformative force within the global energy landscape. As the world transitions toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, offshore wind energy has taken centre stage, providing a dynamic solution to meet the growing energy demands while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

After years of driving down the cost of offshore wind, electricity from wind is now the UK’s most competitive source of electricity and in turn accelerates the sectors growth in not only the UK but globally. Government Initiatives such as Scotwind and the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal are driving the industry forward by outlining strategic roadmaps for the development of the industry, technology and skills.

With numerous projects in operation and many more in the pipeline, the offshore wind industry continues to flourish, drive economic growth and is ultimately supporting the shift towards a cleaner energy future. Glacier Energy is proud to offer market leading Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Inspection Services that are tailored to the specific needs of Wind Foundation Manufacturers in this rapidly evolving sector.

We have engaged Glacier Energy for the past 25 years, using services such as conventional and PAUT NDT inspection of transition pieces, jackets, jacket legs and substations for many offshore wind projects. During this period, we have found Glacier Energy to be a professional and reliable business partner, who have worked well with us over the years to provide a high quality service.

Director, Wind Foundation Manufacturing Company

Long Standing, Strong Partnerships with Wind Foundation Manufacturers

With over three-decades of wind industry experience, Glacier Energy provides NDT and Inspection Services to support wind foundation manufacture.

Our proven wind foundation manufacture track record has been built upon delivering services for the fabrication of monopiles, transition pieces, jackets, jacket legs and substations for global offshore wind projects. Projects have included Saint Nazaire, Doggerbank, Hollandse Kust, Beatrice, Moray East and Saint Brieux.

Over 30 Years Of Wind Energy Experience Tell Us About Your Wind Project

Get in touch with our inspection team to arrange a discovery call, or download our track record document for a more detailed look at our expertise.

Helping Clients Contribute Towards Net Zero Ambitions

Our significant inspection expertise means that we can make informed integrity recommendations for our clients, allowing them to deliver products of the highest quality which are fully compliant with industry standards. We understand our clients’ drive to help meet net zero ambitions and their own company objectives, so we want to help.

We also recognize the pivotal role that NDT and Inspection plays in ensuring the structural integrity, safety and efficiency of critical equipment required to make the energy transition a reality, so we too are fully committed to delivering high quality services to support both industry and our clients.

We have long-standing agreements with several wind foundation manufacturers, with some partnerships spanning over a 30-year period. This is testament to the quality of our services and our team's abilities, solidifying our position in the market as a preferred long-term partner of choice for wind NDT and Inspection requirements.

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Best-in-Class Inspection Techniques

We offer an array of Conventional and Advanced NDT and Inspection techniques to ensure our clients achieve the highest quality results.

This NDT technique consists of propagating high frequency sound impulses into the test material providing clear signal interpretation through visual display of any defects. Our highly skilled technicians interpret this information against criteria associated with the relevant specifications or standards such as ASME/AWS/EN/DNV to determine acceptance or rejection against those standards or customer specification.

Glacier Energy is well versed in the inspection of welded connections for the wind construction.Magnetic Particle Inspection is carried out by applying an electrically induced magnetic field around the test item. A solution of magnetic particles is applied to identify flux leakage caused by surface or near surface defects. Anomalies can then be assessed by our team against relevant specifications.

Dye Penetrant Inspection detects surface defects and discontinuities on non-ferromagnetic materials. Glacier Energy technicians utilise a low viscosity red dye which penetrates surface breaking defects or discontinuities. This is followed by removing excess dye and applying a highly absorbent developer which draws out the penetrant to the surface marking clear visible indications of surface breaking discontinuities. Our technicians will then evaluate these indications against relevant codes or specifications.

Radiographic Inspection makes use of Gamma-Ray and X-Ray radiation which pass through solidmaterials, such as piping and welds. Images are generated on radiographic film which display variations in the radiation that is absorbed or transmitted, which are then assessed against applicable codes of specifications. The use of X-Ray and Gamma rays is highly hazardous, and Glacier Energy’s team is highly trained to work under strict legislative requirements, under controlled conditions, often within specific shielded compounds or enclosures.

Time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD), a method of advanced ultrasonic testing, is a sensitive and accurate method for the non-destructive testing of welds for defects. ToFD is also an excellent tool for the detection and measurement of root erosion/corrosion surveys and is a complementary technique used alongside Phased Array for weld volume inspection.

Phased Array is an advanced ultrasonic method, which has various advantages to conventional manual Ultrasonics. It can be used at fixed stand-off positions without the need for manually “raster” scanning the probe back and forward and still attain good coverage of the component under test.

Phased Array 2

Various groups (focal laws) can be created and utilised and also manipulated with a range of shear wave angles, linear fixed and compound angles to achieve the best overall coverage.

Phased Array 1

These focal laws can also be “modelled” using appropriate modelling software to show the coverage even prior to seeing the component itself. An additional advantage, is that various imaging views are possible to assist the operator to analyse as accurately as possible, including conventional A scans, but also B, C, S(E) and D scans. This can also allow for more accurate and detailed reporting of any anomalies.

Visual testing is used to find surface discontinuities and observe a component’s condition which is done with or without optical aids. Optical aids include low-power magnifiers, microscopes and also specialised devices such as boroscopes, endoscopes and other fibre-optic devices for the inspection of restricted access areas. Glacier Energy technicians use visual testing to investigate components which are assessed against applicable codes of specifications.

High Performing, Specialist and Experienced Team

Our team of experts is what makes us stand out from the rest. We are a high-performing, specialist and experienced team with a proven track record of delivering results. Our inspection management team has decades of experience delivering high quality results for our clients across a wide range of industries, all over the world.

When it comes to the wind industry, our expertise is not limited to supporting Wind Foundation Manufacturers. Our team is skilled in delivering services for in-service wind farm Operation and maintenance projects, both on and offshore. Our wide range of services are tailored to our clients needs to ensure the efficiency and extend the life of our clients' wind turbines.

Throughout our team, we have over 100 trained and qualified inspection personnel with Personal Certification in Non-Destructive Testing (ISO 9712) Level 2 and 3 qualifications and have the unique offering of employing over 28 Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing technicans.

We are also a UKAS accredited Type C Inspection body to ISO17020 & DNV-CP-0484. This accreditation is a clear demonstration of our commitment to adhering to the highest global standards and assures our clients they will be provided with the very best service.

Lastly, our team is one of the few inspection companies in the UK which have been granted ‘Fit for Offshore Renewables’ status. This is a rigorous programme which follows an extensive evaluation process to ensure that we have sector specific knowledge, meet the standards of excellence and has key management systems in place for the offshore renewable sector. This provides our clients with further assurance that their wind project is in safe hands.

  • F4OR
  • Gl wind logo 3
  • UKAS
  • Gl wind logo 2
  • irata membership
  • DNV Logo

Do you require support for your Wind Foundation Manufacture project?

Get in touch with our team today by calling +44 (0)1333 425 517 or fill out the form below to find out how we can support you.