Posters

Abstract

The imminent development of commercial scale floating offshore wind projects poses some significant uncertainties and challenges for operations and maintenance. Whilst some demonstrators are providing a platform for the industry to learn, the size and design of turbines are changing to such an extent that not all of these learnings are directly transferable to future projects. In addition, the supply chain is working to develop new supporting technologies that are not yet proven or tested and no demonstrators have been in the water for long enough for the industry to have gained sufficient data on failure rates or lifetime asset integrity and life extension. The consequence of underestimating the cost or availability of floating wind systems will have a significant impact on investor returns, and therefore market confidence in the sector. As a partner in GreenVolt, the first commercial scale floating wind farm to be awarded a CfD, Flotation Energy has a responsibility to manage this. Not only as part of a partnership with Vargronn and their investors, but because to is a stepping stone project that will kickstart for the UK floating industry as a whole, pavthing the way for a Scottish and UK floating wind supply chain that utilises the skills harnessed from the country's rich oil and gas heratiage and engineering expertise. The responsibility falls on broad shoulders, and as such, it's vital that robust O&M and integrity practices are embedded within its projects early. Green Volt are pioneering not only because it's the largest commercial scale floating project in Europe. It will also electrify oil and gas facilities to help decarbonise the industry, working with emerging turbine OEMs to facilitate platform electrification. This presentation will touch on some of these additional challenges and opportunities. Early O&M assurance and readiness has been proven to reduce overall risk, drive the development of supporting technology, enhance long term asset integrity and maximise investor return. By influencing design, developing strategies and methodologies, driving development of supporting technology and influencing the shaping of relevant regulations or stakeholder requirements, projects cah maximise or achieve: * Improved accessibility * Better maintainability * Efficient repairability (including but not limited to major component replacement) * Steady reliability * Efficient and lower cost maintenance practices * Asset lifetime extension * Reduced OpEx and maximised LCOE