Incorporating Site-Specific Data Can Add Value to Offshore Energy Assets

Offshore energy assets are gaining in popularity, but as more companies invest in this technology, it is important they understand all the factors that may contribute to operations and maintenance (O&M) costs. Especially those factors related to the environment.

In a recent article for Wind Tech International, Claire Cohen, principal marine energy consultant at Black & Veatch, explains that site-specific metocean data can help.

By measuring and accounting for metocean conditions – including wave, current and wind characteristics – companies can better understand their ability to undertake planned maintenance and reactive repairs across the lifecycle of the asset. This information can be incorporated into a project’s early development to ensure that any build assets can be worked on and upgraded as needed.

As an example, Cohen explains that a slightly higher wind yield at one location might make it seem more desirable than another location because it offers a higher financial return. But she goes on to note that upon further consideration, this higher wind yield may also make it more difficult or expensive to maintain that asset, degrading the overall financial return on the offshore wind asset.

Cohen goes on to explain that using datasets not typically analyzed together and implementing algorithms created for data-driven O&M planning for site-specific conditions can give a much more accurate picture of what an asset’s O&M costs and methods could truly look like.

“Minor changes in design and location can cascade into significant effects on cost and performance, giving rise to potentially meaningful changes in a project’s bottom line,” writes Cohen. “This aspect of project development is increasingly important as arrays are located ever further offshore with the risk of more challenging metocean conditions.”