A Game Changer for O&M

Introduction

Projects developed far from shore face new challenges. These challenges have to be overcome to drive down costs whilst improving safety and efficiency far from shore. Fred. Olsen Windbase is a game changer for these unique projects and challenges current thinking and strategies.

Approach

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier has worked closely with developers, turbine manufacturers, and businesses within Fred. Olsen related companies such as Global Wind Service, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, Dolphin Drilling, Marine Operations and Harland and Wolff to bring Fred. Olsen Windbase to life. Optimised for each site, Fred. Olsen Windbase simulates life and work offshore to provide a robust and predictable environment within which to work.

Main body of abstract

Wind farms larger and further from shore have created the need for a new approach to operations and maintenance (O&M) and Fred. Olsen Windcarrier has developed a “game-changer” for the industry.

Fred. Olsen Windbase, marries established technologies and services from within the Fred. Olsen related companies, to create a fixed offshore facility that offers developers a new way to reduce operating costs for the next generation of wind farms built further from shore.

Fred. Olsen Windbase is a flexible solution with a mix of facilities and capabilities. These can be delivered individually or in combination with other offshore marine assets. Fred. Olsen Windbase can include an accommodation module, a full service base and a fully operational offshore heliport, removing the requirement for an onshore quayside facility and complexity added to offshore sub stations.

Fred. Olsen Windbase offers a through-life capability, deployed very early in the construction phase for installation and commissioning, and remaining onsite until the project is re-powered or decommissioned.



Conclusion

Fred. Olsen Windbase creates opportunity and efficiency savings where it was once limited. Now vessel crews, technicians and the management team can stay offshore in a safe and comfortable environment at the heart of the activity. Fred. Olsen Windbase is evolving offshore wind O&M.


Learning objectives
Developing Fred. Olsen Windbase has highlighted the importance of working closely with multiple stakeholders to fully understand the challenges of the site, the activities to be undertaken and the safety and interests of the personnel it accommodates. Multiple simulations shared with stakeholder has allowed Fred. Olsen Windbase to evolve into a lightweight, efficient tool and system which is robust and flexible to its environment.