Fully Integrated Design: Lifetime Cost of Energy Reduction for Offshore Wind

Lifetime cost of energy reductions for offshore wind of at least 10% can be realised through a fully integrated design approach, including the support structure, tower, wind turbine, rotor and controller. This research has been applied to a representative wind turbine and support structure within an offshore wind farm of the scale typical of UK Offshore Round 3; 7MW rated power, 160m rotor diameter, 40m water depth, four-legged jacket support structure. Cost modelling was central to the research and helped prioritise the areas for design optimisation. All technology applied was ‘near term’. These results highlight the need for change in the existing contracting structure for offshore wind; separate procurement of turbines and support structures does not facilitate integrated design. The project was funded by the UK Government Technology Strategy Board with internal funding also provided by DNV GL.