As the global offshore wind energy market continues to mature, smart new ways to boost operational efficiency are emerging. One of the most extraordinary is a transition to remote operations using technology which just a few years ago would have been considered a futuristic dream.
Within a complex regulatory framework, offshore wind operators must undertake regular maintenance of above-water assets and inspection of underwater components. As a relative newcomer to the offshore environment, the wind industry is benefitting from technological advances and a new risk-based approach to maintenance, exploiting lessons learned and experience refined in the oil and gas industry.
With the Covid-19 pandemic adding unforeseen restrictions, the advantages of remote working go way beyond the obvious cost savings. The much-improved safety aspect of remote operations, minimising risk by removing the need for personnel to operate in hazardous environments, is accompanied by other key benefits. For example, not requiring fully crewed survey vessels and associated travel delivers further cost savings and a reduction in carbon footprint. And, in the event of local and international travel restrictions and social distancing measures, remote operations ensure business continuity.
Together with strict regulatory requirements, the mix of stakeholders involved in offshore wind, including governments, energy regulators and insurance companies, has resulted in a rigid maintenance regime where typically 100 % of assets must be inspected every 5 years. Operation and maintenance (O&M) programmes can realistically be reduced to a smart level with independent advice and utilising state-of-the art remote operations centres (ROCs) with capabilities that are helping to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
To meet the requirements of round-the-clock operations, it is essential that the offshore energy industry has access to experts at all hours. Remote support includes advice and guidance from survey engineers, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pilots, software specialists and a raft of other skilled personnel who are all on hand 24/7 at ROCs.
Connecting you with your project teams and representatives in real time, view of ‘the full picture’ allows you to advise, make live (often rapid) decisions, and engineer critical solutions. As only the specialists that are needed for the project are utilised, remote solutions are always scalable.
Cost and efficiency benefits can be brought to O&M programmes when expertise is combined with an array of technologically advanced equipment, available for a broad range of remote marine tasks:
Wind energy projects are a major force in the global transition to renewable energy and the reduced environmental impact of remote operations is reinforcing this movement. Cost savings and risk mitigation are also significant factors in the remote execution of offshore projects.
While today it is primarily the offshore energy industry that is seeing the benefits of remote operations, it is anticipated that applications in offshore hydrogen, defence, and carbon capture and storage will emerge. With an eye on an autonomous future, ROCs are the foundation for highly scalable operations, with tangible benefits for every client.
- Operations and maintenance accounts for approximately 30% of overall offshore wind farm costs
- Since launching its first ROC, Fugro has completed 326,109 project hours and counting of remote operations for global clients