Floating wind turbines: construction and installation considerations

Abstract

As the floating offshore wind turbine industry continues to develop and grow, the capabilities of established port facilities and installation vessel need to be assessed as to their ability to support the expanding construction and installation requirements. This presentation reviews current infrastructure requirements and projected changes to port facilities that may be required to support the floating offshore wind industry.

The capabilities of established shipyard facilities to support floating wind farms are assessed by evaluation of size of substructures, height of wind turbine with regards to the cranes for fitting of blades, distance to offshore site and offshore installation vessel characteristics.

The ability to assemble Floating Offshore Wind Turbines equipment in a port means minimising highly weather dependent operations such as offshore heavy lifts and assembly, saving time and costs and minimising safety risks for offshore workers.

The presentation will provide information on previous and current floating offshore wind turbines under construction. Information is included on • Job Creation, • Construction Mitigation • People requirements. • Physical requirements of constructing and installing floating wind turbines • Training and industrial relations, considerations • How to minimise effects on the environment with noise mitigation during pile driving and reducing the effect of damage to the seabed