FLOW-Park Management & Control System (M&CS)

Floating wind turbines are unmanned and have no marine propulsion, so they are effectively very large (100m x 100m and c. 10,000Te), complex and expensive marine assets similar to barges and as such are bound by a wide set of maritime regulations and guidelines on how they are to be kept and operated ‘safely’, and therefore pose no threat to other users of the sea or the wider environment.

They also don’t have their own mooring & anchoring system, so these must be provided for them to connect on to. These are pre-installed ready for the FLOW unit to connect on to.

To demonstrate safe operations and meet all the necessary regulatory, insurers and end-user requirements we have designed a unique Management & Control System (M&CS) that combines software & hardware to look after the floating assets when parked.

The FLOW-Park Management & Control System (M&CS) combine hardware and software into a fully integrated system that facilitates the safe and efficiency management & operation of a FLOW-Park Safe Anchorage facility.

It is designed to meet key objectives:

  • The demonstration of safe marine operations to meet legal, class and regulatory permitting & licencing requirements as well as satisfy clients (Developers, T&I/EPCI Contractors), their insurers and other users of the sea of the safety & efficiency of Safe Anchorage use & operation.
  • Protect assets, the environment and other users of the sea
  • Facilitates the efficient movement and securing of FLOW units and vessels to minimise logistic costs and provide enhanced logistical flexibility to de-risk schedule delays related to weather, vessels, port operations or supply chain disruption
  • Provide a coordinating interface for all M&CS users (OSG, Developers, regulators, stakeholders and industry) that facilitates safe operations and supports & encourages efficiency and local delivery
  • Provide operational transparency & clarity on the delineation of responsibilities and activities to promote safe offshore operations and manage risk in line with recognised ALARP principles.

It meets these objectives by utilising specially designed equipment & systems including:

  • Multiple Safety & Security Buoys located around the FLOW-Park
  • FLOW-Monitor units mounted on each parked asset
  • An integrated communications suite including satellite, cellular and radio networks
  • A 24/7/365 staffed & managed FLOW-Base with live data inputs
  • Proprietary developed software for complex data, operations and emergency response planning & oversight