ABSTRACT
It has been identified that the minimisation of the vessel costs has significant potential to reduce the overall Operation and Maintenance (O&M) expenditure. Although, CTVs are highly utilised within an offshore project lifecycle, the influence of CTVs on the entire O&M lifecycle cost has not been considered thoroughly. Considering current offshore wind O&M models, it has been identified that the CTV related operations are generally
1 INTRODCUTION
Offshore wind is becoming increasingly attractive to developers due to a number of advantages over the onshore environment. These include the availability of offshore areas in which major projects can be developed, the lack of limitations associated with the visual impact and noise of the wind turbines, higher wind speeds, and the lower turbulence levels in the offshore environment. Contrary to these advantages there are a number of increased challenges when moving offshore; wind turbines are situated in the highly corrosive sea environment, and subject to loads that are not often experienced onshore; therefore offshore wind farm operators suffer from greater maintenance issues. Harsher wind and wave conditions limit the operability of these vessels and eventually the accessibility of offshore wind farms. Currently, onshore wind energy costs £74/MWh, alternatively offshore wind energy costs £150/MWh, which the industry has to commit to bringing the cost of offshore wind down to £100/MWh in order to sustain the competiveness and the development in the offshore industry (WindPower Offshore, 2012).
