Marine operations play a pivotal role throughout all phases of a wind farm’s life cycle. In particular uncertainties associated with offshore installations can extend construction schedules and increase the capital expenditure (CAPEX) required for a given project. Installation costs typically account for approximately 30% of the overall project cost. This study considers the installation modell...

The UK has an abundant offshore wind resource with offshore wind set to grow rapidly over the coming years. Optimisation of energy production is of the utmost importance given the high installation and maintenance costs of offshore turbines; accurate estimates of wind speed characteristics are critical during the planning process. While operational assessment methods which rely upon in-situ obs...

With many offshore installations in the UK sector of the North Sea now reaching or being in excess of their original anticipated design life, there is a particular need to evaluate approaches to structural integrity management by offshore operators. Ageing processes can affect the structural integrity of the installation and demonstration of adequate performance beyond its original design life ...

The design of offshore wind turbines is one of the most fascinating challenges in renewable energy. Meeting the objective of increasing power production with reduced installation and maintenance costs requires a multi-disciplinary approach, bringing together expertise in different fields of engineering. The purpose of this theme issue is to offer a broad perspective on some crucial aspects of o...

This paper presents an overview of the main issues associated with the economics of offshore wind. Investment in offshore wind systems has been growing rapidly throughout Europe, and the technology will be essential in meeting EU targets for renewable energy in 2020. Offshore wind suffers from high installation and connection costs, however, making government support essential. We review variou...

Abstract The offshore installation, logistics, and commissioning activities are currently estimated to make up 20% 30% of the capital expenditures (CAPEX) wind projects. Technical geographical factors affect both CAPEX during construction installation schedule, such as a lack supporting port infrastructure, availability specialized vessels, distance from farm shore, accessibility, water depths,...

Offshore wind farms with high installed capacities and located further from the shore are starting to be built by northern European countries. Furthermore, it is expected that by 2020, several dozens of large offshore wind farms will be built in the Baltic, Irish and North seas. These wind farms will be constituted of a considerable number of turbines packed together. Due to shadowing effects b...

The study of medical evacuation records from offshore installation workers indicates that dental pathology is a significant problem. Dental evacuations (dentivacs) account for the highest single category of medical evacuation (medivacs). Dentivacs result in human suffering and are the cause of many lost man hours for the major oil operators in the United Kingdom. This paper reviews the reportin...