The collaborative effort has brought together 38 participating companies, including transmission operators, developers, component suppliers, engineering, procurement, construction and installation contractors, and yards to tackle the challenges associated with floating offshore substations.
Offshore substations play a role in the scaling of floating offshore wind, serving as hubs to connect multiple wind turbines and transmit renewable energy to markets. Designing and implementing these substations present distinct challenges, including the need for high-voltage dynamic cables and electrical equipment that can withstand the movements of floating structures. With a focus on closing gaps in existing technology and standards applicable to floating substations, the JIP is aiming to help the wind industry meet its potential and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the global energy system.
The JIP's phase 1 outcomes include affirming the feasibility of floating offshore substations (FOSS) and export cables, identifying technology gaps requiring attention, and highlighting the maturity of AC solutions compared to DC. The project also carried out a feasibility analysis for generic floater types and dynamic export cable concepts. Emphasising a design process for optimised integrated floating substations, DNV plans to incorporate the JIP’s findings in the next update of DNV-ST-0145 for floating substations and of DNV-ST-0359 for dynamic cables, both scheduled for 2024.
Kim Sandgaard-Mørk, executive vice president, renewables certification, energy systems at DNV, said: “DNV, in collaboration with industry partners, had previously developed the widely used standard DNV-ST-0145 for offshore substations, primarily focusing on bottom-fixed installations. During the past ten years, this standard had played a crucial role, serving as a foundation for certifying electrical offshore substations. Through our predictive ETO research models, we recognised the growing trend toward floating wind. DNV initiated this joint industry project to develop standards specifically applicable to floating substations.”
JIP project manager, Kristin Berg, senior principal consultant, energy systems at DNV, said: “The JIP contributed to a joint understanding of the challenges in floating offshore substations, which are key components for the evolving renewable energy landscape. Our call for partners garnered significant interest, meeting the objective of establishing a joint understanding of best industry practice and technical requirements. Collaboration among industry experts is always instrumental in technology and standards development, and this will ultimately be beneficial for the whole renewables sector, as we facilitate the scaling of floating offshore wind projects.”
DNV is now initiating phase 2 of this JIP, where existing and new participants will be invited to join. Phase 2 will build on deliverables and input received from the contributors.