MEMBER NEWS: Crew transfers for offshore wind farms could be improved thanks to new research by EDF, University of Strathclyde and Miros

September 27, 2021
MEMBER NEWS: Crew transfers for offshore wind farms could be improved thanks to new research by EDF, University of Strathclyde and Miros

The University of Strathclyde, EDF and Miros are working together to research and test the ORACLES (Offshore Renewable ACess Loss Estimation & Safety) forecasting methodology at Teesside offshore wind farm.

ORACLES+ will use a diverse set of operational data to better forecast key access conditions for crew transfer operations. The forecasts will be tested at every stage of the decision-making process, from site supervisor to marine co-ordinator to vessel master and turbine technician, to ensure better vessel dispatch and crew transfer decisions. On a large offshore wind farm site improved operational decision-making could deliver financial benefits in excess of £1m a year.

The project, jointly funded by The Data Lab Innovation Centre and EDF, will involve a Miros wave radar being fitted to a Teesside offshore wind farm turbine, and Miros’ cloud will be used to present the ORACLES metrics to key decision makers throughout the decision-chain. This study will run for a year, which will allow the operational teams to provide feedback on forecasts with respect to their day-to-day work.

University of Strathclyde Project lead, Dr David McMillan explained: “We are excited to be carrying out this research at EDF’s Teesside offshore wind farm in a live demo of ORACLES. The wind industry needs some further tangible operational cost reduction use cases to further drive down the cost of offshore wind, and we are hopeful to deliver one within ORACLES+.”

EDF Project lead Dr Antoine Joly said: “Safety is our overriding priority, and as such we are pleased to be able to test the ORACLES forecasting methodology as a means to improve the safety of our technicians during offshore operations.”

Miros Project lead and Chief Technology Officer, Gunnar Prytz stated: ‘’ We are thrilled to have the privileged opportunity to collaborate with both academia and an offshore wind developer. This research project is key to fully understand and allow project stakeholders to unlock the true value by fusing both real time and forecast data for integration on one user interface platform, Miros Cloud. This in turn should allow for safer and smarter decision making to execute successful crew transfers. We are optimistic that the results will necessitate a new Miros product offering to the offshore wind sector that will deliver true risk and cost reduction.”

Gillian Docherty OBE, CEO of The Data Lab said: “The Data Lab is delighted to contribute to the funding of this innovative industry project. Improving the safety provision for offshore crews is a vital area of work and this project will deliver data-driven decision-making that reduces the risk to all those involved in the development of the UK’s growing offshore wind sector.”

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AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

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Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

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