Installation Innovation for floating offshore wind

Abstract

Floating offshore wind turbines are an emerging technology with notable prototype and demonstration projects being installed in recent years. Future floating wind farms enable the access to significant new wind resources in expanses of water too deep for conventional, bottom-fixed farms. Spar, barge, TLP and semisubmersible types have been deployed as demonstration units. Pre commercial units have been installed off the coasts of Portugal and the East Coast of Scotland. This paper discusses naval architecture requirements for the temporary conditions of construction, ocean transport and installation. The requirements of Marine Warranty Surveyor guidelines for temporary conditions and the Classification Society requirements during the temporary phase are also taken into account. It is expected that major offshore maintenance will be carried out on floating offshore wind turbines by towing them back to more sheltered port locations. This paper is a literature and guideline review with additional information on intact stability during the tow to the offshore location. Thus, marine operations play a pivotal role throughout all phases of a floating wind farm’s life cycle. In particular, uncertainties associated with offshore installation work can extend construction schedules and increase the capital expenditure required for the project. This paper will be of interest to researchers and practitioners in the floating wind sector, considering innovative installation methods as a means to reduce overall project lifecycle cost.