Floating Wind JIP – Stage 3 Phase 1
Stage 3 Phase 1 of the Floating Wind JIP commenced in 2022 with projects running until 2027.
Projects within this Phase have been selected to focus on: electrical systems, mooring systems, logistics, windfarm optimisation, foundations, and asset integrity and monitoring.
Overviews of individual projects can be found below.
Stage 3 Phase 1 technical studies
Dynamic Cable Condition Monitoring (DCCM)
The vulnerability of subsea cables to electrical and mechanical risks due to marine exposure is a critical concern. Even in bottom-fixed offshore wind installations, as indicated by insurance data, cables pose the most common failure risk. Implementing condition-based monitoring can be instrumental in detecting premature failures early and informing design decisions to enhance reliability. However, the lack of consensus on reliable and cost-effective monitoring methods for dynamic cables remains a challenge.
To address this, DCCM aimed to identify the most effective condition-based monitoring techniques for dynamic cables in a floating offshore wind context. The project objectives were to:
- Evaluate the risks associated with dynamic cables and understand the different mitigation techniques.
- Assess the different dynamic cable motions and lifetime monitoring technologies and their applicability in context to predicting premature failures.
- Determine priority actions to support the development and accelerated deployment of condition monitoring strategies for dynamic cables.
- Establish recommendations on an operation and maintenance (O&M) strategy for dynamic cable condition monitoring systems.
Maximum Operating Sea-state Evaluation (MOSE)
Reducing the design loads on the Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) can allow for lighter, cheaper structures, thereby reducing the upfront cost of a floating wind farm. The MOSE project was initiated to understand trade-offs between load reduction and impact to Annual Energy Production, as well as to identify the key design considerations when implementing this operating philosophy. This summary report outlines the project’s key findings and highlights future requirements for the industry. The project objectives were to:
- Understand the potential cost savings for unit design by using maximum operating sea-states (MOSS).
- Define and outline a process by which MOSS can be optimised during project implementation.
- Evaluate potential implementations of MOSS within the floating wind control and safety system by using robust and reliable sea-state sensors.
- Identify the design considerations, especially metocean conditions and simulation lists, when using MOSS.
Wet Storage and Quick Connectors of Dynamic Cables (SCC)
As the floating offshore wind pipeline grows, improving efficiency during installation, operation and maintenance is key, particularly when there is the need to perform tow-to-port operations. These operations involve complex coordination between multiple stakeholders, with cable connection systems being critical components whose failure threatens power generation.
The SCC project aimed to understand and evaluate the differences between dynamic cable connection technologies, and explore how quick connector technologies can streamline installation, reduce downtime, and cut costs by enabling both wet storage and pre-installation of cables.
The project objectives were to:
- Understand and evaluate different connection technologies for dynamic cables, focusing on the connection procedure, speed of connection, and duration of connection operations compared to traditional methods;
- Understand different wet storage options when disconnecting the dynamic cable for tow-to-port operations;
- Compare relevant connection technologies to determine the most feasible and safe options for the connection and disconnection of dynamic cables in commercial floating offshore wind farms.
Large Static Pitch Angles (LSPA)
Early in the design stage of a floating offshore wind system, floater static pitch angle can have a significant impact on design requirements, namely relating to the overall floater dimensions and the respective masses that result. Understanding the maximum static floater pitch angle in more detail will therefore identify limitations on floater design and highlight any potential benefits.
The Large Static Pitch Angles project built upon previous Floating Wind JIP studies which have examined the high-level impact of downscaled floaters with larger static pitch angles on the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE). The project sought to understand the impact of large static pitch angles on power production and floating platform design.
The project objectives were to:
- Understand the effects of static pitch angles and determine the conditions under which a trade-off between power generation and floater mass may justify greater static pitch angles.
- Evaluate the different test case scenarios and floater technologies to determine how flexible the static pitch can be (with a focus on rotor nacelle assembly loads and power generation loss), and how this affects the floating substructure design (both overall dimensions and resulting mass), as well as the LCoE.
- Assess the potential trade-off between power production and floating platform design (mass, dimensions, technology) when allowing higher static pitch angles, as well as investigating the impact of deflection upon wind farm-level wake effects and resulting farm-level LCoE.
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Floating Wind Joint Industry Programme
