Integration of Degradation Processes in a Strategic Offshore Wind Farm O&amp;M Simulation Model

Thomas Michael Welte,Magne Lorentzen Kolstad,Espen Høegh Sørum,Iver Bakken Sperstad

doi:10.3390/en10070925

Abstract

Decision support models for offshore wind farm operation and maintenance (O&M) are required to represent the failure behavior of wind turbine components. Detailed degradation modelling is already incorporated in models for specific components and applications. However, component degradation is only one of many effects that must be captured in high-level strategic decision support models that simulate entire wind farms. Thus, for practical applications, a trade-off is needed between detailed degradation modelling and the level of simplicity of input data representation. To this end, this paper discusses two alternative approaches for taking into account component degradation processes in strategic offshore wind farm O&M simulation models: (1) full integration of the degradation process in the O&M simulation model; and (2) loose integration where the degradation process is translated into simplified input to the O&M model. As a proof-of-concept, a Markov process for blade degradation has been considered. Simulations using the NOWIcob O&M model show that the difference between full and loose integration is small in terms of aggregated output parameters such as average wind turbine availability and O&M costs. Although loose integration models some effects less accurately than full integration, the former is more flexible and convenient, and the accuracy is for most purposes sufficient for such O&M models.

Highlights

In order to make offshore wind power competitive with other energy sources, the cost of offshore wind power, i.e., the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for offshore wind farms, must be reduced.For offshore wind farms, operational expenditures (OPEX) are major contributors to the LCOE, with estimates of this contribution varying from 12–32%, depending on the parameters included in the OPEX [1]
For the loose integration approach, the degradation process and inspection strategy described above were first simulated in the translator, independently of NOWIcob
For the given degradation process and annual inspection strategy, the overall probability of detection pdet simulated by the translator was 81.6%, and the pre-warning time Tdet 522 days

Summary

Introduction

In order to make offshore wind power competitive with other energy sources, the cost of offshore wind power, i.e., the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for offshore wind farms, must be reduced.For offshore wind farms, operational expenditures (OPEX) are major contributors to the LCOE, with estimates of this contribution varying from 12–32%, depending on the parameters included in the OPEX [1]. Substantial LCOE reductions will be difficult to achieve without making offshore wind farm operation and maintenance (O&M) more cost-effective. One potential means of achieving O&M cost reductions is to identify improved O&M and logistics strategies, such as the selection of optimal vessel fleets for carrying out offshore wind farm O&M and investment in cost-effective O&M concepts (e.g., procurement of improved condition monitoring systems). O&M models) are used to assess the economic viability of a wind farm and can assist in evaluations of alternative O&M strategies with the aim of identifying those that are optimal and cost-effective. Such models are effective tools in the decision-making process

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Discussion

Conclusion