Posted on June 17, 2021
A new floating offshore wind real-time, remote monitoring solution minimises in-person inspections.
Designed by a consortium led by Fugro and including AS Mosley and the University of Strathclyde, the mooring line fatigue tracker safely and cost-effectively monitors offshore floating wind turbines. It works by fusing the motion and position measurements of floating hulls with a simulation model to monitor fatigue.
Stuart Killbourn, Fugro’s structural monitoring project manager, said: “Over the coming decade, efficient and reliable remote monitoring systems will be vital for the deployment of floating wind farms, which in turn are so important for meeting net-zero carbon targets for a safe and liveable world.”
Physics-based simulation model
Drawing on its existing satellite positioning, structural and metocean monitoring systems, Fugro worked with its partners to combine a physics-based simulation model with state-of-the-art fatigue analysis to develop a cost-effective and streamlined methodology.
Instead of the current conventional five-year subsea inspection regime, mooring line fatigue will be tracked so that inspection activities – which require vessels and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) – are only carried out when necessary.
Another benefit is that the monitoring is continuous and can be used to detect any problems or failure scenarios, such as anchor drag or trawler snagging, as they happen for quick resolution.
The consortium won innovation funding to develop the tracker in March 2020 through the Floating Offshore Wind Technology Acceleration Competition, which was run by the Carbon Trust’s Floating Wind Joint Industry Project.
Having already demonstrated the technology in a relevant environment, Fugro and its partners are now identifying opportunities to work with floating wind developers on pre-commercial projects to trial the solution offshore.
