camelot-forum.co.uk

After 7 years floating in the sea, these pioneering off shore floating wind turbines are apparently a bit knackered.
I hope this doesn't mean that other offshore turbines, which we're planting at a rapid rate, are similarly struggling?

https://renews.biz/90572/hywind-scotlan ... intenance/

On the plus side there will possibly be important lessons to learn from the process to carry through to future developments.
A very impressive CF of 57% so worth persevering I suspect!

I suppose that the offshore floaters are by definition in a more severe environment than fixed ones, let alone onshore. The high CF is the gain, to balance that pain!
I like the idea of towing each of them in turn to a yard for overhaul... If this works out, I wonder whether future builds of floaters could have an extra one added on at the end? This way they can maintain the windfarm's output by using the spare to replace the first one that needs to come back in, then swapping the first refurbished one for the next one which needs attention?
I suppose it would depend on the first cost and depreciation on the spare against the loss of income of one turbine throughout the overhaul period.

The upside is that the work can be done at a dockside in a much better/safer environment than if they were planted into the seabed. It reads that it's the turbines not the floatation bit that's knackered so that does not bode well for the planted ones.
I was beaten to it!!

dan_b wrote: ↑Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:48 am
I hope this doesn't mean that other offshore turbines, which we're planting at a rapid rate, are similarly struggling?

Maybe not. Nothing to do with wind turbines but I saw Adam of Heat Geek explaining a reason why a heat pump was noisy. He pointed out that it had not been installed not level and how this put a greater stress on the bearings leading to premature failure. I am presuming any floating turbine is changing angle quite a bit so tougher on the running gear?

They do get circa 2.5 times the CFD rates to compensate for this compared to fixed offshore turbines.

At least they can be towed to port for maintenance. Saves needing large offshore cranes.

https://images.app.goo.gl/rLTNPKGbYx79NWo8A

It’s hard to find details but looks plenty to wear out on the mooring bracket. The chains are enormous and attached to suction buckets. Also I believe that 60T ballast is attached somewhere along each chain.