Sepura lands German offshore wind farm contract

Sepura has been selected to provide a complete communications solution for an offshore wind farm located off the coast of Germany.

The wind farm will benefit from a secure TETRA system featuring a number of base stations, Sepura’s SC20 series hand-portable radios with accessories and SRG3900 mobile radios.

The company says the newly launched SC20 hand-portables have been specifically developed to provide optimal performance in challenging conditions and feature water-porting technology which expels liquid. This helps to protect the earpiece, speaker and both microphones to maintain clear communications, even in torrential rain.

The SRG3900 mobile radios will be used in conjunction with the Vessel and Personnel Tracking and Management suite provided by solutions partner Vissim Renewables. The combination will help to deliver a real-time overview of personnel location — essential for day-to-day efficiency and in emergency situations.

“Construction and routine maintenance of equipment on wind farms requires a powerful and reliable digital radio system. The environment can be extremely demanding; both infrastructure and terminals must meet the highest standards in all areas, from ease of use to durability and performance,” said Nick Dent, commercial director for Vissim Renewables.

“Operators and developers can have complete confidence in this robust solution — particularly the SC20 series radios, whose superb audio quality, along with their salt-resistance, make them the natural choice for engineers who often operate in driving rain and sea spray.”

Gary Maughan, Sepura’s regional director for UK and North/Central Europe, said the contract is a robust endorsement of both Sepura and Vissim Renewables’ experience and expertise in the complex communications requirements of the utilities sector.

“The SC20 is ideal for this type of deployment, not only in terms of durability, but also due to its unique ability to offer an optional second high-speed data bearer capability, allowing data access via a broadband data network,” said Maughan.

“This win also inaugurates our working relationship with Vissim Renewables, and we look forward to more successful collaborations with them in the future.”

The marine-hardened radios also hold IP66, 67 and 68 environmental protection ratings and feature powerful 2 W audio with enhanced fidelity to provide operational consistency in high-noise environments.

Image courtesy of Sepura