Floating offshore wind turbine – Heavy construction requirements (conference paper)

Abstract

Floating offshore wind farms are becoming an option, for marine renewable energy production. They are anchored to the seabed, in water depths greater than those used by fixed bottom offshore turbines, where winds are stronger and more consistent further offshore. The large space required to build floating wind substructures will require changes to existing fabrication facilities. As turbines become larger then new lift-ing methods will need to be developed at the fit out quays. These floating offshore wind turbines will need to be fabricated, transported and installed in locations all over the world. To keep up with this progress, in-stallation vessels and onshore cranes have to go through updates and new builds so that they can still be uti-lized in the installation of floating wind farms. This paper sets out the potential work in the design, con-struction and installation of floating offshore wind turbines.