DNV GL helps offshore wind industry reduce costs

The cost savings identified by the FORCE team could be exploited by the industry now, if the industry shift to collaborative design, engineering and procurement processes, says DNV GL.

“The problem is the misalignment between the design-risk of the changes needed and the cost-reduction reward delivered by those changes. Whilst the former mostly lies with the wind turbine manufacturer, the latter benefits the complete offshore wind asset. The technology is there – we now need to smash down the commercial barriers to make it happen,” said Dr RV Ahilan, executive vice president, renewables advisory, DNV GL.

Through the combination of four technologies (integrated design, relaxation of frequency constraints, enhanced control systems and slender, faster blades) aggregate cost savings of over €1Bn in NPV terms could be achieved over the next decade, according to the report.

But DNV GL stresses that these cost savings can only be achieved if the industry’s approach changes.

“Ultimately, healthy levels of collaboration are as important as healthy levels of competition. Whilst we have made significant progress on improving supply chain competition over the last few years, it is now time that we start acting like a mature industry – embracing both collaboration and integration,” added Dr Tim Camp, head, turbine engineering, DNV GL – Energy.

By Rachael Doyle