O&M Phase
Maximum availability is the key driver for Return on Investment.
Water depths of more than 40 meters and greater distances to shore pose significant logistical challenges for construction and O&M (operation & maintenance) activities of offshore wind farms.
Offshore wind farms are exposed to extremely hostile environmental conditions: Bad weather and other severe working conditions during construction, operation and maintenance must be considered in all processes. Defining the best service and supply strategy for an asset is a highly complex undertaking and is essential for the profitable operation of an offshore wind farm throughout it's entire service life.
After the construction and commissioning of a project, maximizing availability becomes the main driver for all processes and planning activities: Only with the Offshore Wind Project remaining operational can the project's commercial targets be achieved.
All participating units and interfaces as well as the relevant flow of material, personnel and information in combination with their interactions must be precisely analyzed, planned and constantly optimized.
»The main driver of a successful offshore wind project is maximum availability.«
In order to ensure the profitability of the investment in an offshore wind project, all O&M processes must be efficient, reliable, robust and predictable, serving the one overall objective: Availability is to be maximized by reducing and controlling foreseen and unforeseen downtime.
We are committed to providing our clients with the best possible support and assistance from day one – based on our integrated approach:
Our integrated O&M concept supports the significant reduction of operating expenses (OpEx). This proactive approach has multiple advantages for the project owner:
- Securing project financing via verifiable control of CapEx and OpEx
- An integrated operation and maintenance concept improves insurability
- Operating and maintenance costs are easier to plan
- Technical interfaces are optimized
- Define all technical interfaces between all packages, systems and subsystems
- Evaluate the impact of the individual design and interface structure on the service life of the system's components
- Define the operating costs (OpEx) associated with the individual design and interface structure
- Identify and select qualified technology and suppliers that meet the set CapEX and OpEX targets
- Establish life cycle oriented contractual concepts to improve the OpEX predictability as part of the future financing requirements
- Ensure harmonization of interfaces between the different stakeholders, e.g. turbines (TSA – Turbine Supply Agreement), construction (BoP – Balance of Plant) and operation and maintenance (SMA – Service and Maintenance Agreement)
- Develop operator’s maintenance requirements in conjunction with the manufacturer's recommendations
- Define the automation requirements on the basis of the O&M requirements
- Define the system interface requirements
- Define the interfaces with asset management and direct marketing systems
- Define the data points, scope, quality and protocols to ensure the functionality of all systems
- Ensure completeness of the design documentation
- Ensure completeness of the technical documentation
- Ensure completeness of the as-built documentation
- Develop qualified commissioning procedures in close cooperation with the systems designer/suppliers (WTG, OSS,IAG, FOU)
- Develop performance measurement requirements
- Develop take over concepts
- Monitor the performance of systems and subsystems during the commissioning period