Study shows feasibility of electric future for offshore wind operations

A new study has confirmed that electric offshore operations is not only technically feasible – but could also deliver both economic and operational benefits.

The study led by energy company, ScottishPower Renewables and Stillstrom by Maersk, explores the feasibility and benefits of integrating battery-powered Service Operation Vessels (E-SOVs), which stay out at sea for extended periods, into offshore windfarm operations.

It's the first in a series of three studies commissioned by ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) and highlights that offshore windfarms could, in fact, be serviced by battery-powered zero-emission vessels charged from the windfarm’s very own turbines in the future.

The findings are being shared through the Operation Zero initiative, which was launched at COP26 in Glasgow and brings together developers and supply chain companies committed to making zero-emission operations and maintenance vessels a reality.

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The key findings in the report show the feasibility for electric offshore operations:

• E-SOVs can operate in zero-emission mode for up to 18-19 hours a day without charge, thereby reducing GHG emissions.
• The business case for E-SOVs is competitive with traditional marine gas oil-fueled vessels and cheaper than other decarbonised solutions like e-methanol. Operating E-SOVs in offshore windfarms will almost entirely remove service vessel-related GHG-emissions as E-SOVs are powered by the clean power at hand in the offshore windfarm.
• Offshore windfarms can provide the necessary grid infrastructure for charging E-SOVs, offering greater control over fuel costs and reducing exposure to volatile fuel prices and geo-political risks.

Ross Ovens, ScottishPower Renewables’ managing director for Offshore, commented in a statement: “By the end of the decade, our aim is to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions for our offshore projects by more than two-thirds and research like this demonstrates the potential to decarbonise marine operations, which could help achieve this ambition.

“The study with Stillstrom provides valuable learning on how this innovative technology could be integrated into offshore windfarms and shows the art of the possible. What we need to do now is consider what this means in practice and what that would look like in real-life. The report offers plenty of food for thought and it’s great to have the support of Operation Zero to share these findings, so we can all collectively work together towards a clean energy future.”

Kristian Borum Jorgensen, CEO of Stillstrom, added: "Our collaboration with SPR highlights the potential of E-SOVs to fully decarbonise vessel operations in offshore wind farms, making them more sustainable and cost-effective. With our offshore charging solutions now commercially ready, we are excited to deliver practical systems that accelerate decarbonisation and enable a cleaner future for offshore operations."