Floating wind turbines - transportation and installation engineering

Abstract

Floating offshore wind turbines are an emerging source of marine renewable energy. Installation preparation checklists of these large floating structures are required to provide confidence to owners and insurers that they are constructed in a safe and cost effective manner. The checklists developed in this article cover the substructure types such as barges, Spars, semi submersibles and tension leg platforms (TLPs). This article details the preparation requirements for installation vessels, large onshore cranes and for the floating substructures that support the offshore wind turbines.

Floating offshore wind can take advantage lessons learnt from offshore oil and gas industry and fixed offshore wind experience in enabling installation techniques to be developed during loadout, ocean tow and installation. The installation process for a floating wind turbine varies with substructure type and this article will give an overview and comparative analysis of installation methods.

The scope of work for the naval architect for the transport and installation of the floating substructures and subsea infrastructure is discussed. The naval architecture work includes feasibility studies, transport and installation reports, preparation of design basis and review of port information. The preparation for the offshore installation also involves vessel suitability and approval of equipment