WAVES GROUP READY FOR FLOATING WIND BOOM
As the world moves towards a decarbonised energy production and away from fossil fuel energy generation, there is a need to further increase the supply of offshore renewable energy resources. Fixed bottom turbines in water depths of up to 70m currently dominate the market but there is only so much that coastlines can accommodate. To fill the need, developers are looking further afield in deeper waters using floating offshore wind platforms.
Earlier this year, ScotWind leasing round approved 25GW offshore wind projects with floating wind accounting for two thirds, around 15GW. The approved sites cover over 7000km2 of seabed, are further away from the coast and in increased water depths. The construction of these floating wind platforms will need the technology and technical expertise to design and build. Drawing on the experiences gained from conventional fixed bottom wind farms along with floating energy projects and having the right team of experts at hand will aid in project cost reduction and risk mitigation.
Waves Group has over 12 years of experience working in Floating Offshore Wind. In the early 2010s, we provided technical expertise to the Energy Technology Institute (ETI) reviewing a range of floating wind concepts, highlighting the risks of each project, and advising the best option to go into FEED development.
As the first concept projects were awarded, we were involved in the early de-risking as MWS for EDF’s Provence Grand Large project. We also worked alongside one of the ScotWind lease winners producing offshore logistic strategies for floating wind versus fixed wind options for the development of their site, considering the best substructure design and mooring options, construction, installation, and O&M strategies and analysing the schedule impact of each option.
As the industry is accelerating towards the first delivered large scale projects, we are ready to model all type of floaters in OrcaFlex and assess their suitability to defined locations and addressing key industry questions on dynamic cables and the use of synthetic mooring lines.
Waves Group will be present at the Offshore Floating Wind conference in Aberdeen this week, and we would be happy to discuss your projects and any challenges you have encountered, to help realise the full potential of your project based on our extensive offshore energy experience.
For further information on how we can assist, please contact [email protected], [email protected] or telephone +44 (0) 20 7083 7266.
