The offshore renewables industry is painfully aware of the status of the power cable as an essential but weakest link in the chain of generation. Cables represent about 10% of the capital cost of a wind farm but 80% of the insurance claims. This imbalance is precarious and represents a real threat to achieving an economic net zero. Fibre-optic sensing has proven its worth over the last decade in protecting the cable from over-temperature events, and distributed temperature sensing (DTS) is now very much essential kit. Industry advances in the deeper analysis of DTS and benefits from the adoption of sister technology – distributed acoustic sensing – are bringing some huge advances in understanding cable condition. This article explores the wealth of information that these new techniques can produce and highlights how previous barriers to adoption are being overcome.
Vibration Anomaly of Wind Turbines Using Machine Learning and Statistical Methods
The global surge in wind energy adoption has propelled the proliferation of operational wind turbines, presenting a monumental challenge for O&M teams tasked with managing this expansive fleet of assets. This article sheds light on the transformative potential of leveraging vibration data alongside advanced data analysis, statistical techniques, and the power of machine learning models. As the wind energy landscape evolves, this holistic approach seeks not only to model but also to predict the nuanced behaviour of various wind turbine components.
By Thiago Kleis, Global Sales Executive, AQTech, Portugal
Integration of Data Analytics to Enhance Turbine Reliability
In the ever-evolving landscape of renewable energy, offshore wind farms are pivotal for achieving sustainability goals. However, the economic feasibility of these farms is often hampered by higher operational costs and the cost of energy compared with onshore wind energy and conventional power sources. This article sheds light on how advancements in condition monitoring and wake optimisation are set to improve the industry. It discusses the integration of data analytics to enhance turbine reliability, alongside approaches to improve turbine efficiency through advanced control techniques. This discussion not only underscores the importance of continuous innovation in the renewable energy sector but also highlights the potential for significant cost reductions and efficiency improvements in wind energy projects.
By Pieter-Jan Daems, Cédric Peeters and Jan Helsen, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Harnessing an Agent-Based Model to Support Impact Assessments
Offshore wind (OSW) is an important component of the transition to renewable energy in the USA. OSW projects generate electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which may impact marine organisms. In pre-construction assessments of these impacts, modelled EMFs are compared with literature-derived effect thresholds for sensitive marine organisms. However, it is frequently unclear whether some literature-derived effects are meaningful at a population level. In the absence of data, biologically detailed models, such as agent-based models (ABMs), can tie exposure and effects together. Here, we describe an ABM that simulates an electrosensitive organism, little skate, swimming in the presence of a direct-current magnetic field generated by undersea OSW cables. The model simulates behavioural effects from EMF exposure on individuals in a modelled population and translates the effects into an energetics basis, providing a quantifiable metric of the effect of exposure on population viability. Through a proof-of-concept application, we show that ABMs can help support EMF impact assessments by helping to evaluate potential exposure effects in a context relevant to fisheries management.
By Daniel Dawson and Damian Preziosi, Integral Consulting, USA
Temporary and Environmentally Friendly Coating with Drones
Icing of wind turbines is a major problem in their operation, as it leads to massive yield losses and wear and tear and endangers people in the vicinity. De-icing using helicopters or industrial climbers is extremely time-consuming. Turbine operators who want to protect their wind turbines from icing have had to dig deep into their pockets – heating mats or systems that can be integrated into the blades, systems that pump warm air into the rotors, or the use of lifting helicopters that spray de-icing agents are all associated with high costs. Drones, only used when necessary, offer an inexpensive alternative.
By Andreas Stake and Oliver Tiedje, Fraunhofer, Germany
How Can Ecological Modelling Support the Sustainable Development of Offshore Wind?
The plans to establish offshore wind farms globally have become increasingly ambitious and will lead to impacts on marine life, such as fish and marine mammals. Such impacts must be predicted and managed so that planned projects can go ahead while simultaneously minimising environmental footprints. Dynamic ecological modelling can simulate baseline conditions and impacts from various stressors, for example underwater noise, using the most accurate representation of animals, including their movements and reaction to said stressor. With such models, environmental issues can be identified early and throughout the project cycle to allow integrated mitigation solutions, easing the environmental approval processes and reducing related scheduling and investment risks.
By Frank Thomsen, Lars O. Mortensen, Naomi A.M. Tuhuteru, Jonas B. Mortensen, DHI, Denmark
Early Strategic Planning for a Diverse and Local Offshore Wind Workforce
State and federal policies have incentivised offshore wind developers to think locally for their workforce and supply chain. New manufacturing facilities, installation ports, and projects will create a demand for local workforces, both in the general trades, the unions, and specialised job roles specific to offshore wind. This article discusses why early strategic planning is critical for training a new industrial workforce in alignment with the pace of market demand.
By Nick Zenkin, Lead Offshore Wind Consultant, Xodus Group, USA
#11 Enercon E70 installed in Bessakerfjellet, Norway (courtesy Liam Tench)
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