further offshore in deeper water. More recently installations are now underway of the first floating turbine structures.
These innovative developments will allow quicker and more effective installation and operation of the turbines as well as faster and more efficient deployments of maintenance personnel to the offshore structures. Wind power generation in the offshore sector is, by comparison, a relatively new method of energy generation. The specific demands and requirements the offshore wind sector has created requires precise offshore strategies to deliver effective solutions that meet the stakeholders’ expectations of CAPEX and OPEX costs at generated power cost acceptable and competitive to market forces.
In recent times, it is not uncommon for installation locations for the wind turbines to be in the hundreds for a single project. There is also a requirement for supporting infrastructure comprising of sub stations, infield array cables and cables to the shore and then over land to the main power grid connections. Servicing of the wind farm to maintain optimal efficiency and maximum power supply output requires significant organisation and also very efficient and effective vessels, jack up rigs with crane capacity and small fast moving crew vessels. The business strategy and supporting offshore logistics planning plan needs to maximise efficiency of the supporting vessel to maximise turbine power generation while carefully protecting the safety of the vessels and personnel involved. A single failure or breakdown of a vessel, an incident on board, or a failed delivery on time can be very costly to both personnel concerned and to the effective running of the offshore operation. The challenge is to, so far as possible, de-risk the many complex vessel movements, engineering operations and general marine activities. The effective and safe management of all offshore logistics operations is therefore an essential part of the overall supply chain and
capability to maintain maximum power generation at lowest costs. Vessels attending multiple locations in a day will play a very significant part in this overall process.
Offshore incidents: The catalyst for action and change
It is well understood that offshore logistics and marine operations have a high risk profile given that these are completed in one of the most hostile environments.
It
has been recognised from the oil and gas industry that the wind farm sector can equally become exposed to such risk as well as actions and activities completed by third parties on its behalf. In the past, such actions have resulted in marine incidents and accidents resulting, on occasions, in the total constructive loss of a vessels and risk to the safety of the crew and industrial personnel who work offshore. It therefore remains the responsibility of the wind farm operator that the most suitable and safe vessels are used during offshore marine operations and these assurances should be confirmed prior to any charter period commencing. The primary requirement is that the safety and protection of offshore personnel working is maintained, local environment and wildlife are protected while the continuous operational integrity of the wind turbines and associated infrastructure is achieved.
G+, The Offshore Wind Health and Safety Association (previously G9) comprises the world’s largest offshore wind developers who have come together to form a group that places health and safety at the forefront of all offshore wind activity and development. The G9 in cooperation with the Energy Institute issued a 2014 incident data report which addressed and assessed the incidents and accidents that were notified in 2014 across the wind industry sector. *1
*1
G9 Offshore wind health and safety association - 2014 incident data report
34 | The Report • September 2017 • Issue 81
This report was the first of its kind in this format and showed the three main areas of notified incidents. Of these notified incidents, 237 of these occurred during marine operations and this was one of the three top areas of concern. These marine incidents were split with 151 across construction sites and a further 83 occurring during generation (O&M). The remaining 4 incidents were during survey activities. It was found that of these incidents recorded 167 or some 43% occurred during the marine operations of personnel transfer to the turbine (an operation particularly unique to the wind sector). A further 31% occurred during maritime operations of various types and a further 23 % during vessel operations. Of the total notified incidents 62% were subsequently classified as near miss while a further 15% were identified as hazards. Overall the notified incidents resulted in 13 lost days as well as the associated personnel costs, costs to installation and/or generation due to delay and lost generation. The other two areas of concern were lifting operations with 143 incidents of which 24% occurred on the vessels. Operating plant and machinery, the third area of concern, comprised 134 operations mostly in relation to turbine activities. It was apparent for all that this situation and, in particular within the marine operational area, could not continue and required to be addressed quickly to both reduce the overall rate of incidents while seeking improvements in vessel safety an effective marine operation.
Vattenfall as a responsible wind farm owner addressed this situation directly. Rather than being reactive, Vattenfall has become preventive for the benefit of all the stakeholders engaged in the offshore activity. Incidents and accidents are obviously undesirable for the individuals concerned but also have a considerable effect on costs and schedules of wind farm development and operations. These additional costs and delays can adversely affect personnel safety and morale but also the overall long term business case if allowed
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
