Blackfish Engineering Design Floating Wind Challenges
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Floating Offshore Wind: Installation, Operation & Maintenance Challenges Author: J. Harrison Date: 29th July 2020 Reference: BF008-001-RE Version: A Pages: 53 Approval / Revision History Version Date Changes Author Checked Approved A 29/07/2020 First Release J Harrison A Garrad T Warren J Powell I Smallwood Blackfish Engineering Design Ltd Registered Company 10169509 86 Shirehampton Road, Bristol, BS9 2DR Ref: BF008-001-RE Author: J. Harrison Version: A Date: 29/07/2020 Floating Offshore Wind: Installation Challenges Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. 5 Disclaimer .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................ 7 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................ 8 1.2 Aims of this Study ................................................................................................................ 10 1.3 Market Growth ..................................................................................................................... 10 2 Types of Floating Offshore Wind Foundations ......................................................................... 13 2.1 Spar-buoy ............................................................................................................................. 14 2.1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 14 2.1.2 Examples ....................................................................................................................... 15 2.2 Semi-submersible ................................................................................................................ 16 2.2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 16 2.2.2 Examples ....................................................................................................................... 17 2.3 Tension Leg Platforms ......................................................................................................... 18 2.3.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 18 2.3.2 Examples ....................................................................................................................... 19 2.4 Combined Structures ........................................................................................................... 20 2.4.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 20 2.4.2 Examples ....................................................................................................................... 21 2.5 Foundation Motion in Operation ........................................................................................ 23 3 Installation Requirements .......................................................................................................... 27 3.1 Environmental Conditions .................................................................................................. 29 3.2 Outline Installation Procedure ............................................................................................ 30 3.3 Spar-buoy ............................................................................................................................. 30 3.4 Semi-sub ............................................................................................................................... 31 3.5 TLP ......................................................................................................................................... 31 3.6 Specific Mooring Installation Challenges ........................................................................... 32 Page 3 of 53 © Copyright Blackfish Engineering Design Ltd 2020 Ref: BF008-001-RE Author: J. Harrison Version: A Date: 29/07/2020 Floating Offshore Wind: Installation Challenges 3.7 Specific Electrical Connection Challenges .......................................................................... 33 4 Improvements & Cost Reduction ............................................................................................... 35 4.1 LCOE Context ....................................................................................................................... 35 4.2 Electrical Connection ........................................................................................................... 39 4.3 Mooring Systems ................................................................................................................. 39 4.4 Other Limitations and Risks ................................................................................................ 40 4.5 Decommissioning Strategy & Sustainability ...................................................................... 42 5 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................... 45 References........................................................................................................................................... 47 Appendix A – TRL Level Definition ..................................................................................................... 49 Appendix B – About Blackfish ............................................................................................................ 50 Page 4 of 53 © Copyright Blackfish Engineering Design Ltd 2020 Ref: BF008-001-RE Author: J. Harrison Version: A Date: 29/07/2020 Floating Offshore Wind: Installation Challenges Executive Summary Floating offshore wind is an expanding sector within renewable power generation. The floating nature of the foundations permits turbine placement in previously unattainable (or prohibitively costly) sites. As this sector of the industry has been growing, various foundation concepts have been developed. However, to date much of the focus has been on proving the stability of the platforms and the compatibility with large offshore wind turbines. Whilst this was a valuable starting point for the industry, it is now entering a new phase where the operations and maintenance procedures surrounding these foundations assumes a more critical role both in the running of a farm and in the reduction of the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) for floating offshore wind. This report investigates the installation challenges for the various foundation types and suggests priority areas for future development to help reduce the LCOE for floating offshore wind. Design for installation and O&M activities are seen as priority areas for the cost reduction of floating offshore wind projects. Studies and future developments should focus on the following: • Expanding the weather window in which these foundations can be towed/transported to and from site • Making mooring and electrical connection operations more weather tolerant • Simplification of installation methodology to reduce time spent offshore • Reduce risks to personnel working offshore during installation and maintenance • Technologies to allow return to port maintenance to become a feasible maintenance strategy. This would encapsulate: o Maintaining electrical continuity throughout an array o Efficiency of mooring and electrical connection and disconnection o Ease of towing • In addition to facilitating return to port maintenance, technologies should be developed to allow for a greater range of maintenance activities at sea, including heavy lift and installation of key components, blade repair and replacement and safe crew transfer for maintenance, whilst reducing the use of expensive vessels. • Integrated wind turbine and floating foundation solution. This should simplify the certification process and improve investor confidence. • Advanced structural health monitoring to evaluate fatigue damage. Page 5 of 53 © Copyright Blackfish Engineering Design Ltd 2020 Ref: BF008-001-RE Author: J. Harrison Version: A Date: 29/07/2020 Floating Offshore Wind: Installation Challenges Disclaimer This report has been prepared by Blackfish Engineering Design Limited (Blackfish) solely as a research piece. The report should only be read as a whole, taking full cognizance of the assumptions and risks as set out in the report. In producing this report, Blackfish has relied upon information provided by others. The completeness or accuracy of this information is not guaranteed by Blackfish. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is given by or on behalf of Blackfish, its directors, officers or employees or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this document and no liability whatsoever is accepted by Blackfish or any of its members, directors, officers or employees nor any other person for any loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of such information