Thesis
Operations and maintenance of floating wind: a holistic approach review, modelling, and opportunistic maintenance strategies
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2024
- Thesis identifier
- T17085
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201978006
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Climate change is a pressing global issue caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels for energy generation. The deployment of renewable generation is essential to mitigate climate change as it offers a sustainable and clean alternative energy. Following the success of bottom fixed wind, developers are looking to deeper waters to expand current development. This thesis delves into the complexities and challenges associated with the operation and maintenance of floating offshore wind farms. The research explores the unique hurdles presented by harnessing wind energy in deeper waters, such as increased distance to shore and uncharted areas. Floating wind sites also introduce specific operational challenges due to the motion of the turbine which has a significant impact on the way in which offshore sites are both operated and maintained. This work consists of three distinct parts: identifying challenges, quantifying their impact, and proposing potential mitigating strategies. Through analysis and modelling of operational expenditure, the study identifies key challenges faced during the maintenance of floating wind farms, with a focus on technology-specific issues arising from turbine motion. Based on a review of current technology, future markets of deployment, and current operational challenges: location, scale, design convergence and turbine motion are identified as the key areas which are set to have a significant impact on the operation of future floating offshore sites. After identifying the challenges, their impact on the operational phase of the project is quantified. Through the use of offshore wind key performance indicators, the accessibility and total operational expenditure are determined for floating wind against an equivalent bottom fixed wind site. This then has a potentially significant impact on lost revenue which increases total cost. The increase in lost revenue is a result of reduced access due to additional restrictions placed on accessible conditions during specific turbine motion. Additionally, the thesis quantifies the operational impact of these challenges and explores potential maintenance strategies to reduce OPEX, including the concept of opportunistic maintenance. The study introduces the OM+ framework, which identifies market-based opportunities for maintenance, aiming to enhance cost-effectiveness and efficiency. The thesis concludes with a comprehensive summary of the research findings and recommendations for future work, contributing to a sustainable and reliable renewable energy solution for the global energy landscape.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Collu, Maurizio
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relations
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PDF of thesis T17085 | 2024-10-22 | Public | Download |