Innovations in Offshore Wind Farm Operations & Maintenance – SSE Renewables
Company Information
SSE Renewables operates the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm. Greater Gabbard is located around 20km off the coast of Suffolk, England and is operated and maintained from its operations and maintenance base at Lowestoft, Suffolk. The 504MW offshore wind farm has been in operation since 2012, generating enough low-carbon renewable energy each year to power the equivalent of over 400,000 UK homes.
Greater Gabbard was a pioneering project for the UK offshore wind industry and for many years the 140-turbine site was the largest wind farm under development world-wide. SSER spend a lot of time maintaining the site and ensuring its producing power, however we need to keep looking at new ideas for how to keep the site running as it gets older and technology progresses.
Project Overview
SSE Renewables operates the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm, which has been generating low-carbon electricity since 2012. As offshore wind farms age and technology advances, new approaches are required to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation and maintenance.
This project explores innovative technologies that could be used to monitor, inspect, and maintain offshore wind farms, with a focus on improving safety, reducing risk, and maintaining power generation.
Project Aim
To investigate innovative technologies and methods that could improve offshore wind farm operations and maintenance, while reducing risk and supporting long-term performance.
Key Research Questions
• What emerging technologies could improve monitoring and inspection of offshore wind farms?
•How might unmanned survey vessels, digital twins, and robotics be used in operations and maintenance?
• What risks are associated with offshore wind farm operations?
• How could new technologies help reduce safety and commercial risks?
• What challenges might arise when deploying new technologies offshore?
What You Will Do
• Work with the Site Operations team to identify key operational risks
• Work with engineers to understand maintenance activities and required outputs
• Speak with the Safety, Health and Wellbeing Advisor to understand the top risks of offshore work
• Work with the Commercial team to understand commercial risks related to new technology deployment
• Research technologies such as unmanned survey vessels, digital twins, drones, crawlers, and advanced monitoring systems
• Evaluate how these technologies could be applied to offshore wind operations
Science, Engineering and Technical Understanding
• Understanding wind turbine operation and maintenance
• Evaluating monitoring and inspection technologies
• Considering mechanical, electrical, and structural systems
• Assessing risk reduction through engineering solutions
• Interpreting technical information to support decisions
Planning and Organisation
You will plan your work in stages, manage your time effectively, justify decisions made during the project, and document challenges and solutions.
Skills Developed
• Engineering and problem solving
• Research and data analysis
• Teamwork and communication
• Independent working
• Understanding safety and risk in offshore environments
Final Outputs
• A written report
• A presentation on innovative monitoring and maintenance solutions
• Evaluation of potential benefits and risks of new technologies
• Evidence-based conclusions and recommendations
Reflection and Evaluation
Your report could include:
• Evidence-based conclusions
• Discussion of assumptions and limitations
• Reflection on learning and project development
• Consideration of how the project could be improved or extended