JIP research on extreme events: results from Crest, ShortCrest and BreaKin JIP


to testing. The challenge with CFD is the computational time. We can presently compute a few extreme events quite accu- rately. So if we know which incoming wave event will give the design load, the CFD simulations would be sufficient. But usually we don’t know, and it is difficult to obtain enough statistics to provide characteristic values for design using CFD simulations. So at the moment the combination of model tests and CFD simulations can be very useful.”


Offshore wind projects Recently, MARIN has started the GBS JIP concerning the transport and installation of offshore wind turbine foundations. Statoil is one of the participants, and has a lot of experience with gravity-based foundations within the oil & gas industry to bring to the project. But what are the specific challenges for Statoil for off- shore wind applications? “Our challenges are


8 report


the same as those faced by other wind farm developers, i.e. reducing both costs and uncertainties in design, production, marine operations, operation and maintenance. The GBS JIP looks very interesting with some focus on design but even more focus on marine operations. One of the challenges in going from oil & gas to offshore wind is the typical one large unit vs. mass production issue and for GBS-type structure production logistics and marine operations become even more important than for a monopile for example. But for all types of offshore wind structures, we see that marine operations connected to the mating and installation of foundations are a large part of the total costs, and savings in this area are very important, both for bottom-fixed and floating turbines.”


Statoil is presently building the world’s first floating wind turbine farm off the coast of Scotland. Commenting on the development of


other JIPs in the renewables sector, such as MARIN’s BlueWeek, Tone stresses that she is hopeful that there will be more initiatives. But she adds: “The offshore wind industry and its competitive regime with auctions or bidding rounds differs from the oil & gas industry. So in some respects competitive advantages may play a larger role in offshore wind, thus limiting the willingness to share specific knowledge.”


However, as Statoil continues to develop its renewable activities, the company is convinced that there are definitely opportunities to start more JIPs dedicated to common problems in offshore wind. Tone concludes: “Our renewables and low carbon activities are growing from a small base compared to our oil & gas activities, but will be the fastest growing part of Statoil in the coming years, so we would certainly welcome more JIP initiatives in this industry.”


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