Optimising Marine Operations for Floating Offshore Wind with the C-Dart Quick Connector

In the ever-evolving world of offshore wind, optimising marine operations plays a pivotal role in ensuring cost-effective and efficient deployments. Blackfish Engineering recently contributed to a key project led by the National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) as part of the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub initiative. The project, entitled “Maximising the Potential of Shallow Ports for Floating Offshore Wind Deployment,” aimed to explore ways to optimise port operations and infrastructure in preparation for the future of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs). A core part of this project was the simulation of the Blackfish C-Dart quick connector, which is pivotal for mooring floating assets in both in-port and open-water scenarios.

Demonstrating the Power of Simulation

The project leveraged the NDC's state-of-the-art marine simulator in Newburgh, Scotland, to run a series of real-time, manual control-based simulations. These simulations were designed to explore a range of marine operation scenarios for floating offshore wind assets, including in-port wet storage, open-water mooring, and recovery operations. By simulating these scenarios, the project team could gain valuable insights into the potential challenges of deploying and recovering FOWTs, before testing these operations in real-world conditions.

One of the most notable benefits of this approach is the ability to test operations multiple times using a variety of conditions, allowing for a deeper understanding of how the C-Dart quick connector performs. The simulations proved successful, with C-Dart connections and disconnections being demonstrated under varying conditions, including up to 3m waves.

Key Simulated Scenarios

The project involved a comprehensive set of simulations that explored several key scenarios:

In-Port Wet Storage of VolturnUS FOWT: The team simulated the in-port mooring of floating wind turbines (FOWTs), replicating the scenario where assets are temporarily stored in shallow ports before being deployed offshore.
Open-Water Wet Storage: As port space becomes increasingly limited with the growth of offshore wind projects, the simulation of open-water mooring for floating turbines became crucial. This scenario explored the feasibility of storing FOWTs in open-water locations once port capacity has been reached.
In-Port Wet Storage of a Barge: The simulation also accounted for situations where port space is constrained due to upgrades or other activities, requiring barges to be moored in the same way as floating turbines.
Recovery of Unmoored Assets: One of the more innovative simulations was the recovery of an unmoored asset from a vessel, using an on-turbine C-Dart catcher attached to the floating column of a T-Omega Wind FOWT model. This scenario demonstrated the ability to reattach a floating wind turbine to a buoy, simulating real-world recovery operations in challenging conditions.

The Role of Key Assets

To ensure the simulations were grounded in real-world feasibility, the models used recognised industry assets, including the VolturnUS 15MW reference model and the T-Omega Wind floating offshore wind turbine concept. These models were specifically chosen due to their relevance to shallow port operations, with T-Omega being particularly touted as an enabler for shallow port mooring.

For Blackfish Engineering & Design, the successful demonstration of C-Dart’s performance in various mooring and recovery scenarios was a major milestone. The team was able to show that the C-Dart quick connector can perform successfully in challenging conditions, including wave heights up to 3m, and that it could be applied to a wide variety of floating assets, whether it be FOWTs or barges.

Optimising Operations and Future Applications

The results of this simulation project highlight the significant role that digital simulation can play in optimising marine operations before real-world trials begin. By running multiple scenarios, Blackfish was able to test and refine its C-Dart system without the risks or costs associated with physical trials. Moving forward, this technology is likely to be used for further refinement of both C-Dart operations and the buoy’s hydrodynamic design.

From a commercial perspective, the ability to simulate operations for multiple types of floating assets is a clear advantage for Blackfish. The data gained from the project provides valuable insights that can help streamline operations and reduce the risk associated with offshore wind deployments.

The T-Omega team also benefited from this initiative, as it marked the first time that towing and connecting their floating wind turbine asset using a single vessel was simulated in detail. This simulation provided invaluable feedback for the ongoing development of their technology.

A Positive Outcome for Peterhead Port

Another significant outcome of the simulations was the positive promotion of Peterhead Port, which is gearing up for floating offshore wind (FOW) operations. By simulating realistic operations within the port, the project highlighted Peterhead as a suitable location for FOW marshalling and deployment, showcasing its potential to handle the unique requirements of floating wind turbine projects.

Looking Ahead

This successful project sets a precedent for the use of advanced marine simulation in the offshore wind industry, and Blackfish is excited to continue exploring these tools for future optimisations. For clients, Blackfish recommends exploring opportunities to use these state-of-the-art simulators for their own marine operations, helping them refine processes and reduce the risks and costs associated with physical testing.

In the world of offshore wind, where time and cost are critical, the ability to optimise operations before they are even tested in the real world is invaluable. The C-Dart quick connector, with its demonstrated versatility and performance, looks set to play a key role in the future of floating offshore wind deployment.

Ready to Optimise your Marine Operations?

If you're looking to streamline your offshore wind deployment and optimise your marine operations, get in touch with Blackfish today. Our expertise, combined with cutting-edge simulation technology, can help you refine your processes and reduce the risks associated with real-world testing. Let us help you bring your offshore projects to life more efficiently and cost-effectively.