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Operations and maintenance issues in the offshore wind energy sector

Operations and maintenance issues in the offshore wind energy sector PurposeThere is increasing research interest in the expansion of the offshore wind energy sector. Recent research shows that operations and maintenance (O&M) account for around 20-35 per cent of the total energy costs in this sector. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of O&M issues in the offshore wind energy sector to propose initiatives that can help reduce the cost of energy used by offshore wind farms.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on an in-depth literature review and a Delphi study of a panel of 16 experts on O&M.FindingsConsisting primarily of conceptual papers and/or modelling papers, the extant literature identifies several challenges for O&M in the offshore wind energy sector. These challenges can be grouped into four categories: issues related with industry immatureness; distance/water depth; weather window; and policy issues. The Delphi study identified three other major issues that lead to increased O&M costs: too many predefined rules that limit development; lack of coordinated planning of the different services offered at the wind farms; and lack of a common approach on how O&M should be managed strategically.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is based only on Danish respondents. Future research needs to include various respondents from different countries to identify country-specific contingencies.Practical implicationsThe paper provides an overview of the O&M issues in the offshore wind energy sector to prioritize where future resources should be invested and, thus, reduce O&M costs.Originality/valueThis is the first paper on O&M issues that bridges both literature studies and industry expert opinions. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Energy Sector Management Emerald Publishing

Operations and maintenance issues in the offshore wind energy sector

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References (58)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
1750-6220
DOI
10.1108/IJESM-04-2015-0012
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

PurposeThere is increasing research interest in the expansion of the offshore wind energy sector. Recent research shows that operations and maintenance (O&M) account for around 20-35 per cent of the total energy costs in this sector. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of O&M issues in the offshore wind energy sector to propose initiatives that can help reduce the cost of energy used by offshore wind farms.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on an in-depth literature review and a Delphi study of a panel of 16 experts on O&M.FindingsConsisting primarily of conceptual papers and/or modelling papers, the extant literature identifies several challenges for O&M in the offshore wind energy sector. These challenges can be grouped into four categories: issues related with industry immatureness; distance/water depth; weather window; and policy issues. The Delphi study identified three other major issues that lead to increased O&M costs: too many predefined rules that limit development; lack of coordinated planning of the different services offered at the wind farms; and lack of a common approach on how O&M should be managed strategically.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is based only on Danish respondents. Future research needs to include various respondents from different countries to identify country-specific contingencies.Practical implicationsThe paper provides an overview of the O&M issues in the offshore wind energy sector to prioritize where future resources should be invested and, thus, reduce O&M costs.Originality/valueThis is the first paper on O&M issues that bridges both literature studies and industry expert opinions.

Journal

International Journal of Energy Sector ManagementEmerald Publishing

Published: Jun 6, 2016

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