Inshore Construction Requirements For Floating Wind Turbines

Abstract

Floating offshore wind turbines are a method of producing green marine electrical energy and is part of the pathway to net zero. As the floating offshore wind turbine industry continues to develop and grow, the capabilities of established shipyard facilities need to be assessed as to their ability to support construction requirements. This presentation assesses current infrastructure and projected changes to shipyard facilities that may be required to support the floating offshore wind industry. Understanding the construction methods of the floating offshore renewable industry will assist in identifying port related requirements.

Shipyards are required for the fabrication of substructures types of barge, semi submersible, spar and tension leg platform. The marine engineering aspects in the substructure shipyard include loadout ballasting and mooring or possible floatout from a drydock. A topside fit out location needs to be identified close to the offshore wind farm where lifting of turbine components onto the substructure hull takes place.

The capabilities of established shipyard facilities to support floating wind farms are assessed by evaluation of size of substructures and the height of wind turbine with regards to onshore cranes fitting nacelles and blades. In addition large areas need to be identified for laydown of mooring equipment and subsea cables.

The floating offshore wind industry is in early stages of development and port facilities are required for substructure fabrication, turbine manufacture, turbine construction and maintenance support. The presentation discusses the potential technological developments required for commercial development of floating offshore wind turbines.