Image: Principle Power (illustrative only)
Ports and Floating Wind: The Puzzle of Standardization
At OEEC’s Floating Wind panel session, industry experts highlighted the logistical and infrastructural challenges posed by the wide variety of floating wind designs. Sandtorv’s observation reflects a pressing need: standardization. While not all designs will reach commercialization, the plethora of options complicates infrastructure development, from ports to vessels and equipment.
“We probably have around 150 different floating wind platform designs at the moment. So how do you design a perfect port for floating wind?” This provocative question from Tommy Sandtorv, Chief Commercial Officer at Karmsund Port Authority, set the tone for a crucial discussion at the Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference (OEEC) 2024, in Amsterdam.
Designing Ports for a Fluid Future
“The perfect port for floating wind hasn’t been built yet,” Sandtorv stated. The unique requirements of floating wind—distinct from fixed-bottom setups—demand extensive collaboration between port developers and the industry. Unlike fixed-bottom wind farms, floating wind projects necessitate ports capable of assembling and storing massive components, such as turbines, floaters, and anchors.
Wet storage for floaters, space for turbine assembly, and advanced installation facilities are all part of the equation. Sandtorv emphasized that governments and developers must first establish clear market frameworks to guide port design. “We have to start with governments and developers… and then bring the floating platform designers and the T&I’s [Transport and Installation companies] into the discussion to advance the industry,” he noted.
Floating Foundations: Regional Solutions and Global Challenges
Different seabed characteristics and water depths drive the choice of floating wind platform designs. For example, Richard den Hollander, Global Business Development Director at Seaway7, pointed out that Norway often opts for SPAR-type foundations, which are more cost-effective in deep waters. This mirrors fixed-bottom offshore wind’s evolution from jacket to monopile foundations.
Den Hollander also introduced a potential market shift: offshore turbine installation. Traditionally, turbines are assembled inshore before being transported to project sites. However, offshore installation—already demonstrated by Saipem 7000 for the Hywind Scotland project—could mitigate logistical challenges. Yet, the transition remains hampered by the wind turbine industry’s onshore-centric approach.
Scaling Innovation to Drive Costs Down
Innovation and demonstration are pivotal to the industry’s future, according to James Young, Chief Strategy and Compliance Officer at JDR Cable Systems. “We can’t just rely on a big project to bring the cost down,” Young explained, stressing the importance of mid- to large-scale testing alongside commercial projects. He cited the offshore wind sector’s shift from 33 kV to 66 kV inter-array cables as a successful example of incremental innovation.
Axelle Viré, a Professor of Floating Offshore Wind at Delft University of Technology, echoed this sentiment. She highlighted the urgency of accelerating full-scale testing to meet ambitious deployment timelines. “We need to get things in the water,” Viré stated, adding that TU Delft is working on state-of-the-art onshore infrastructure and laboratory testing to de-risk larger projects.
When asked about the feasibility of starting small, Viré expressed caution. “If we go too small first, we’re never going to make it,” she warned. Instead, she advocated for a balanced approach where research institutions and universities collaborate with industry players to scale up quickly while minimizing risks.
Source: OEEC
