Robert Gordon University (RGU) has joined SeaEnergy PLC in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to develop an operational and economic model for life cycle cost of operations and maintenance (O&M) strategies in offshore wind farms.
The KTP is supported by the Technology Strategy Board and its aim is to drive down costs in offshore wind development. Sean Huff, from the Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University, is the academic lead on the project and he will be working with Mike Comerford, Director of Operations at SeaEnergy, in order to oversee the development of the model together with a KTP Associate who is yet to be appointed.
“SeaEnergy is delighted to begin working in partnership with RGU to develop this innovative O&M model which will lead the way on cost reduction for the offshore wind industry” said John Aldersey-Williams, SeaEnergy’s CEO.
More than 40,000MW of offshore wind capacity are planned for deployment in UK waters with similar amounts scheduled elsewhere in Europe. Each wind farm and its operator will have to determine the optimal O&M strategy for its fleet of wind farms and so the total cost of O&M for the UK fleet could amount to at least £50 billion over the 20 to 25 year project life. This means that selection of the optimal strategy for O&M will be critical to projects economic performance.
Further information:
