CIOReview | | 9 NOVEMBER 2022While we await dedicated requirements from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), floating wind farm operators are working closely with classification societies. Project de-risking and certification has become standard.Harsh environmentFloating wind turbines are suited to bringing clean energy to regions that do not have a shallow coastal shelf, including the west coast of the United States and the east coast of South Korea. Other key countries where the first wave of floating wind commercial project should occur may also include Spain, the UK, France, Italy, Taiwan and Japan. While costs are higher for installation, being placed further offshore also means these turbines have more consistent exposure to high-speed winds.Out there, though, they are subject to harsh environmental conditions and constant cyclic motion, making them prone to fatigue. Specially designed mooring systems are required to keep them steady. Foundation choicesAmong other projects, Bureau Veritas is notably participating in four French projects that are now in the final design phase. They are located in different marine environments and use different foundation types with a unique set of advantages and disadvantages:· Semi-submersible foundations have a relatively shallow draft and are flexible for different site conditions. However, their high steel mass and many welded connections make them heavy and complex to manufacture.· The low structural weight of the substructure of a tension-leg platform makes it a cost-saving option, but the risk of mooring failure presents high operational risks and adds constraints in relation to onsite soil condition.· Barge foundations offer the shallowest draft of all, facilitating turbine installation alongside a quay, but they are more affected by wave-induced motions and require more robust mooring systems.Component considerationsExisting offshore technology is not necessarily easily translatable to floating wind installations, which poses a further technical challenge. Synthetic mooring lines don't face the same amount of sunlight and particle ingress when used in the deeper waters of oil and gas platforms, so these materials need to be tested and qualified. High-voltage dynamic cables are another potential challenge. To mitigate the risk of degradation, cables must be tested from the design stage, and fabrication and installation should be closely monitored. Moving forwardClassification societies such as Bureau Veritas continue to evaluate new designs and publish technical standards to support the floating offshore wind sector. On the strength of industry-wide efforts, early pilot farms are now being developed into commercial farms, many of which will begin production between 2025-2030. Looking beyond 2030, small-scale farms will be expanded to have production capacities of up to 500MW and above ­ enough to power a mid-sized European city. Despite this growing industry confidence, there are still hurdles to overcome. Currently, there is no uniform regulatory framework for the industry, with local regulations varying widely from country to country
< Page 8 | Page 10 >