World Forum Offshore Wind (WFO) has published its White Paper Challenges and Opportunities of Major Maintenance for Floating Offshore Wind. Experts in the industry gave their practical insights on four major maintenance concepts: towto-port, tow-to-shore, floating-to-floating and self-hoisting equipment.
Differences in feasibility were identified between offsite and onsite approaches for major component replacement, with offsite approaches being perceived as more feasible in the short-term. Technology innovations across all four maintenance concepts are required to address bigger turbines and larger arrays; these are expected to completely disrupt and transform current beliefs in major component replacement operations. Project-specific conditions ultimately influence the chosen O&M approach for a floating wind farm, with some example parameters listed in this report.
To optimise the business case, it is recommended to consider O&M issues alongside the early technological, financial, and logistics aspects of a floating wind project. Early communication at the design stage but also with stakeholders from ports and the insurance industry can help ensure that certain issues are not ignored in the CAPEX phase; facilitate the use of new technologies; and prepare the harbors crucial to delivering volume.
