Abstract
Offshore and marine renewable energy applications are governed by a number of uncertainties relevant to the design process and operational management of assets. Risk and reliability analysis methods can allow for systematic assessment of these uncertainties, supporting decisions integrating associated consequences in case of unexpected events. This paper focuses on the review and classification of such methods applied specifically within the offshore wind industry. The quite broad differentiation between qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as some which could belong to both groups depending on the way in which they are used, is further differentiated, based on the most commonly applied theories. Besides the traditional qualitative failure mode, tree, diagrammatic, and hazard analyses, more sophisticated and novel techniques, such as correlation failure mode analysis, threat matrix, or dynamic fault tree analysis, are coming to the fore. Similarly, the well-practised quantitative approaches of an analytical nature, such as the concept of limit states and first or second order reliability methods, and of a stochastic nature, such as Monte Carlo simulation, response surface, or importance sampling methods, are still common practice. Further, Bayesian approaches, reliability-based design optimisation tools, multivariate analyses, fuzzy set theory, and data pooling strategies are finding more and more use within the reliability assessment of offshore and marine renewable energy assets.
Highlights
Introduction and outlineOffshore wind turbines are exposed to severe environmental conditions
This moves the point of focus towards risk management and reliability assessment of offshore wind turbines
Okoro et al [75] recommend subdividing the failure modes (FMs) into their risk factors and applying the weights directly to these parameters, and Kolios et al [72] use a fuzzy-TOPSIS multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method in addition to failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and risk priority number (RPN) to prioritise FMs
Summary
Introduction and outlineOffshore wind turbines are exposed to severe environmental conditions. Occurring failures could have environmental impacts, but definitely would lead to considerable financial losses This is due to the lost production output because of the failure, but is especially amplified by the limited accessibility of offshore assets, located some distance from the coast and sometimes even in quite remote areas. Transport of offshore engineers and work on the asset can only be performed in acceptably safe sea states and at medium wind speeds. These prescribed working weather windows imply quite long delays sometimes, until the asset can operate in normal mode again. This moves the point of focus towards risk management and reliability assessment of offshore wind turbines
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