hungry to win
The focus of the offshore wind industry understandably falls on the big challenges it faces. However, there is a range of practical services that may not immediately appear to fit into distinct categories of challenges – but will be absolutely essential to ensure FLOW runs smoothly. It is difficult to evaluate but there is high potential for regional economic benefit to be derived here.
"Logistics and services” is therefore an umbrella term which could include (but should not be limited to) a range of elements, all essential to the smooth deployment and running of FLOW:
- Haulage eg of aggregate
- Vessels
- Anchor storage
- Crew transfer
- Personnel provision
- Specialist Training
- Cranage
- Draft reduction technologies
- Wet storage
Many of these services are likely to require local know-how and may even provide a strong starting point for ambitious companies to expand into this new market.
The volume and scale of opportunity for floating offshore wind (FLOW) is unprecedented - but comes with major challenges.
FLOW will need to provide industrialized solutions, (reliability, cost and production volume) - a huge challenge for un-proven technology's.
Floating offshore wind turbines require inter-array cables to connect strings of turbines to the offshore substation, including the use of dynamic and static cable types. The current market for the Celtic Sea stands at 4.9GW (TCE Leasing Round 5 (4.5GW) plus 4 x T&D sites (400MW)). With a value of c.£1 billion. made up of cables, accessories, and offshore installation costs.1 This will require somewhere in the region of 41km of dynamic and 515km static cables, requiring 3-6 cable, laying vessels.2
Dynamic cable manufacturing capability does exist within the UK, however the scale and demand for floating offshore wind projects will present a significant capacity challenge. The demand for components (cable protection systems, bend stiffeners, buoyancy modules, dry and wet mate connectors etc.) as well as cables may require the expansion of existing, or development of additional manufacturing facilities, which adopt serial production techniques along with the distribution, logistics and ongoing maintenance services needed to access multiple markets The Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan has prioritised dynamic cable manufacture as ‘Make’ requiring investment of £30-50 million.3
Dynamic cables, connectors and other ancillary equipment are critical components in floating offshore wind projects, they represent a single point of failure for a turbine. In offshore wind more generally, cable technology has not proved to be as reliable as assumed in design and procurement activity. Issues include damage incurred during handling/installation, fatigue failures, manufacturing issues and cable exposure/re-burial. To date, cables have made up the largest share of insurance claims in the fixed market.4 Fresh thinking is therefore required on dynamic cables for successful and sustainable commercialisation of floating offshore wind.
Prior to offshore deployment dynamic cabling systems will require marshalling, assembly, integration and load out at a port facility. It is typical for some of these components to be assembled at the load out facility, whilst others are assembled on the vessel just prior to installation. These facilities are required to be coastal or on large rivers with direct access to the sea. Key requirements for the development of these facilities are access to a suitably large site (for component storage, laydown and assembly), appropriate specification of quayside and direct access to the sea for the transport of mooring systems direct to the project site.
Cable installation can take place well in advance of turbine installation, however, will require close coordination with project developers and regional Port operators, working in an environment with constrained Port capacity whilst multiple projects compete for quay side and vessels.
Operations & Maintenance of floating wind (FLOW) will involve the servicing of platforms the height of a sky-scraper many miles out to sea.
Around 260 such platforms are expected to be deployed in the Celtic Sea by the late 2030s. All will require scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of the turbines themselves - but also the towers, floating platforms, cables, moorings and anchors.
There is much uncertainty on how O&M will actually be completed for FLOW. But a wide range of expertise will certainly be required in; marine operations, vessels, sub-sea inspection, remote monitoring and more. There is therefore a real opportunity for ambitious approaches to service provision.
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The offshore wind industry faces numerous challenges, including high operational costs, prolonged response times to incidents, and the need for real-time monitoring to ensure safety and prevent downtime. Traditional methods of monitoring and maintenance are often inefficient and costly, leading to decreased profitability and increased risks.
Our advanced drone technology, coupled with artificial intelligence and data analytics, enables real-time monitoring of wind turbines and offshore installations, allowing for early detection of issues and proactive maintenance interventions. By providing actionable insights and predictive analytics, we empower offshore wind operators to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and enhance overall performance.
Key Features:
- Real-time monitoring of offshore assets
- Early detection of anomalies and potential failures
- Predictive maintenance scheduling
- Data-driven insights and analytics dashboard
- Seamless integration with existing infrastructure
- Scalable and customizable solutions to suit various project requirements.
What sets Uali apart from competitors is our focus on continuous innovation and our deep understanding of the offshore wind industry's nuances. Our technology not only streamlines operations and reduces costs but also enhances safety and reliability, providing offshore wind developers with a competitive edge in the market. Additionally, our strategic partnerships with industry leaders and ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders ensure that our solutions remain at the forefront of industry standards and best practices.
The global offshore wind market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by increasing demand for clean energy solutions and government initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. With our innovative solutions and proven track record, Uali is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth and become a leader in the offshore wind technology space.
Uali offers a transformative solution for the offshore wind industry, addressing critical challenges and unlocking new opportunities for efficiency, safety, and profitability. By leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise, we are shaping the future of offshore wind operations and driving sustainable innovation in renewable energy. Join us on this journey towards a cleaner, greener future with offshore wind.
Click "Bid Now" to download the ITT and bid documents.
(Image courtesy of the Industrial Growth Plan https://www.owic.org.uk/publications/offshore-wind-industrial-growth-plan)