A wind turbine generator nacelle (14) comprises a nacelle frame (44) having a first forward hub end and a second aft end. Dedicated transport fittings (46) are positioned at each of the ends of the nacelle frame (44). The fittings (46) are adapted to be engaged by transport frames (86) on first and second transport trailers (80) for supporting the nacelle frame (44) for transport by the trailers (80). A service platform (20) is mounted to the transport fittings (46) on the aft end of the nacelle frame (44) such that the service platform (20) is cantilevered off of the aft end of the nacelle frame (44).

A method of assembling a tower section of a wind turbine tower is provided. The method includes arranging the tower section of the wind turbine tower in a horizontal orientation; transporting a damper unit to a position inside the tower section while the tower section is arranged in the horizontal orientation; and mounting the damper unit to the tower section, wherein the damper unit is configured to damp motions of the wind turbine tower. Further, a horizontal transport system is provided that is supported at least at one position by the tower section and that includes a movable part configured to support a damper unit and to transport the damper unit in a horizontal direction from a position adjacent to an end of the tower section to a position at or adjacent to a mounting position of the damper unit inside the tower section.

Method of lifting a wind turbine part (58) at a wind turbine site (1, 2), the method includes: providing a lifting apparatus (60) and a wind turbine part (58) to be lifted; providing a shield (40); providing manipulation equipment (45) associated with said shield (40); and suspending said part (58) from said lifting apparatus (60); moving said part (58) by means of said lifting apparatus (68); the method further including holding said shield (40) proximate and upwind of said part (58) being lifted by means of said manipulation equipment (45). The shield (40) may be held proximate the part (58) being lifted such that it acts to reduce the ambient wind force incident on the part (58). Preferably the method may be implemented such that wind speed conditions (w) at the part (58) being lifted are lower than ambient wind conditions (W) at said site (1, 2). A kite-flying apparatus includes a power kite (40) and associated manipulation equipment (45), including cables (42, 44) at least one steering winch (28, 29), the winch being received in a winching module (26) including a ballast receiving fitment and a winch control system.

Method of lifting a wind turbine part (58) at a wind turbine site (1, 2), the method includes: providing a lifting apparatus (60) and a wind turbine part (58) to be lifted; providing a shield (40); providing manipulation equipment (45) associated with said shield (40); and suspending said part (58) from said lifting apparatus (60); moving said part (58) by means of said lifting apparatus (68); the method further including holding said shield (40) proximate and upwind of said part (58) being lifted by means of said manipulation equipment (45). The shield (40) may be held proximate the part (58) being lifted such that it acts to reduce the ambient wind force incident on the part (58). Preferably the method may be implemented such that wind speed conditions (w) at the part (58) being lifted are lower than ambient wind conditions (W) at said site (1, 2). A kite-flying apparatus includes a power kite (40) and associated manipulation equipment (45), including cables (42, 44) at least one steering winch (28, 29), the winch being received in a winching module (26) including a ballast receiving fitment and a winch control system.

A method for loading equipment and/or personnel onto a platform mounted on the nacelle tower of an offshore wind farm is provided. This method enables loading of equipment onto a platform mounted on the nacelle tower or on the monopile or tripod or jacket foundation of an offshore wind turbine without needing to mount the construction during the loading operation.

A method for loading equipment and/or personnel onto a platform mounted on the nacelle tower of an offshore wind farm is provided. This method enables loading of equipment onto a platform mounted on the nacelle tower or on the monopile or tripod or jacket foundation of an offshore wind turbine without needing to mount the construction during the loading operation.

A deployed L-shaped rack structure interengaged with a self-elevating vessel is used for supporting a feeder transport vessel, such as an ocean or sea barge, to eliminate relative motion or movement between the vessels. Some of the proposed rack structures are movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The method of use for the movable rack structures includes the self-elevating vessel arriving at a predetermined location, elevating the hull of the self-elevating to a suitable height above the sea surface at a desired still water line (SWL) to create an air gap, and then deploying the rack structure. A feeder transport vessel, with its cargo and/or components, can then be floated over the deployed rack structure. The self-elevating vessel then uses its jacking system including a plurality of legs supported on the seabed to raise the feeder transport vessel and its cargo and/or components to a desired height above the SWL. From this position relative motion between the self-elevating vessel and transport vessel is eliminated so that the self-elevating vessel lifting device, such as a crane, can be more safely used to install energy components, such as wind turbine components. A bottom supported tower/column section could also be assembled and installed in seabed using the self-elevating vessel and rack structure along with the lifting device. A fixed rack structure system and its method can also be advantageously used with a self-elevating vessel. The systems and methods could be used in reversing the method or steps for deinstallation of the energy components installed in the sea.

A deployed L-shaped rack structure interengaged with a self-elevating vessel is used for supporting a feeder transport vessel, such as an ocean or sea barge, to eliminate relative motion or movement between the vessels. Some of the proposed rack structures are movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The method of use for the movable rack structures includes the self-elevating vessel arriving at a predetermined location, elevating the hull of the self-elevating to a suitable height above the sea surface at a desired still water line (SWL) to create an air gap, and then deploying the rack structure. A feeder transport vessel, with its cargo and/or components, can then be floated over the deployed rack structure. The self-elevating vessel then uses its jacking system including a plurality of legs supported on the seabed to raise the feeder transport vessel and its cargo and/or components to a desired height above the SWL. From this position relative motion between the self-elevating vessel and transport vessel is eliminated so that the self-elevating vessel lifting device, such as a crane, can be more safely used to install energy components, such as wind turbine components. A bottom supported tower/column section could also be assembled and installed in seabed using the self-elevating vessel and rack structure along with the lifting device. A fixed rack structure system and its method can also be advantageously used with a self-elevating vessel. The systems and methods could be used in reversing the method or steps for deinstallation of the energy components installed in the sea.

A system for placing a wind turbine assembly on a support surface of a support structure being supported on a seabed with a lifting crane provided on a floating vessel, said system can be changed from a first operation mode into a second operation mode to compensate a vertical reciprocal crane movement of the crane relative to the support structure.

A system for placing a wind turbine assembly on a support surface of a support structure being supported on a seabed with a lifting crane provided on a floating vessel, said system can be changed from a first operation mode into a second operation mode to compensate a vertical reciprocal crane movement of the crane relative to the support structure.