Port-la-Nouvelle: Wet storage solution for floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT)
Project title: Port-la-Nouvelle: Wet storage solution for floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT)
Project location: Port-la-Nouvelle, France
Start date: 2023
Project Summary:
SEMOP Port-La-Nouvelle and the Occitania Region are investing in port infrastructure with the aim of creating a regional port with the capabilities to accommodate regional and national decarbonization strategies.
This project investigated the suitability of port infrastructure to accommodate floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT), keeping in mind France’s plans for floating wind development in the French Mediterranean Sea.
Ports and harbours consulting to support feasible port infrastructure to support France’s floating offshore wind market.
Our Scope of Work
ABL’s work was to define the wet storage solutions for 20 MW floating wind turbines inside and outside of the port. The work was divided into two phases.
Phase 1
Aimed to define solutions for each zone. The solutions were then compared through a SWOT matrix to define which ones should be examined in detail.
The solutions considered were:
- Dolphins inside the port. This solution ticked all the main boxes:
- Limited space in the port
- Can accommodate different FOWT designs
- Low maintenance requirements
- Standard FOWT mooring outside the port. This solution allows the port to store a large amount of FOWT and can accommodate different FOWT designs
Phase 2
Assessed each solution in detail. This included:
- Solution detail design and layout
- Planning includes the engineering of the solution, the procurement and fabrication of different items, and the installation of wet storage. The planning also looks at the permits to be obtained before being able to start the construction
- Costing of the overall project to help the port to define the CAPEX
- A method statement defining how to use the wet storage areas
- Deliverables defining constraints in terms of permits (internal to the port and with French authorities)
The Conclusion
The work required a deep understanding of both port infrastructure and marine operations and expertise in floating offshore wind, from the components to transportation and installation (T&I) operations to future operations and maintenance (O&M) strategies.
With ABL’s combined energy and marine expertise, we were able to provide a comprehensive service offering and evaluation of wet storage solutions for future FOWT at the port.
Our Value
Track record of >50 floating wind projects.
Mooring design expertise.
Project management expertise.
Maritime legacy and global ports and harbours consultancy.
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