TS-FLOW™ wet storage development projects are led and delivered by Offshore Solutions Group, working in collaboration with delivery partners such as HR Wallingford and FLOW developers, globally to solve the challenge of temporary storage during the full FLOW project lifecycle.
Introduction:
The successful delivery of FLOW projects to meet these goals requires a significant upscaling of the supply chain, ports, facilities, infrastructure, and skills development, both to meet target dates and to meet local content ambitions.
These are very large marine assets and the physical space requirements required at every stage of the FLOW fabrication, assembly, integration & installation are significant. Early-stage studies conducted by Offshore Solutions Group and various research bodies, have confirmed that there are no ports or facilities in Europe capable today or indeed in the next ten years of delivering a utility scale FLOW development on a single site.
While developing practical project execution (delivery) plans for FLOW developers, Offshore Solutions Group quickly identified that a key and much overlooked requirement for successful delivery is the need to temporarily store FLOW units afloat once they have been assembled and launched, either with or without the Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) integrated.
Challenge:
Over four years of research, assessment and development activity has confirmed the need for temporary floating storage/marshalling sites to support the successful delivery of utility scale floating wind projects.
The timing neeeds to match project execution plans and significant technical, practical, operational and consenting
The consenting and permitting required for the TS-FLOW™ site development is similar in work scope and timescales as consenting for a permanent floating offshore wind farm and therefore will likely take 3-5 years.
Objectives:
Offshore Solutions Group:
Wet Storage Development
‘Wet storage’ is a fully permitted and developed offshore location that provides the facility to safely secure assembled floating wind (FLOW) foundations and/or fully integrated floating turbines. Akin to ‘offshore car parks’, once developed each FLOW-Park™ enables efficient logistics within ports & construction yards with limited quay space and the effective marshalling of FLOW units in preparation for offshore installation.
Each FLOW-Park™ provides the necessary pre-installed anchors and moorings ready to receive and secure the unmanned and unpowered FLOW foundations and fully integrated FLOW units.
The TS-FLOW™ wet storage development process is a comprehensive multi-phased approach to the development of technically, environmentally, and commercially viable locations into operational FLOW-Parks™. Devised by OSG and developed in conjunction with technical partners, including HR Wallingford.
Areas under development
“There is no doubt that temporary storage will be an essential part of the floating wind supply chain, as the progression of the successful ScotWind and INTOG leasing rounds gathers pace. The initial phase of this project has brought together key developers, ports, and regulators to increase understanding of the many factors and requirements that will determine the best sites around our coast. “We at Crown Estate Scotland look forward to further discussions with all involved as part of our continuing work to helping enable a successful offshore wind sector in Scotland.”
Ben Miller, Crown Estate Scotland
Phased Approach:
Who to contact to get involved or find out more:
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