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Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Benchmarking Human-Free Lifting Solutions in the Offshore Wind Energy Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Richmond

    (Offshore Energy Engineering Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK)

  • Toby Balaam

    (Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK)

  • Paul Causon

    (Offshore Energy Engineering Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK)

  • Debora Cevasco

    (Offshore Energy Engineering Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK)

  • Mareike Leimeister

    (Offshore Energy Engineering Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
    Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany)

  • Athanasios Kolios

    (Offshore Energy Engineering Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK)

  • Feargal Brennan

    (Offshore Energy Engineering Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK)

Abstract

With single components weighing up to hundreds of tonnes and lifted to heights of approximately 100 m, offshore wind turbines can pose risks to personnel, assets, and the environment during installation and maintenance interventions. Guidelines and standards for health and safety in lifting operations exist; however, having people directly beneath the load is still common practice in offshore wind turbine installations. Concepts for human-free offshore lifting operations in the categories of guidance and control, connections, and assembly are studied in this work. This paper documents the process of applying Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), using experts’ opinions for the importance of defined criteria obtained by conducting an industry survey, to benchmark the suitability of the concepts at two stages. Stage one streamlined possible options and stage two ranked the remaining suite of options after further development. The survey results showed that criteria such as ‘reduction of risk’, ‘handling improvement’ and ‘reliability of operation’ were most important. The most viable options, weighted by industry opinion, to remove personnel from areas of high risk are: Boom Lock and tag lines, a camera system with mechanical guidance, and automated bolt installation/fastening for seafastening. The decision analysis framework developed can be applied to similar problems to inform choices subject to multiple criteria.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Richmond & Toby Balaam & Paul Causon & Debora Cevasco & Mareike Leimeister & Athanasios Kolios & Feargal Brennan, 2018. "Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Benchmarking Human-Free Lifting Solutions in the Offshore Wind Energy Environment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:5:p:1175-:d:145022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lozano-Minguez, E. & Kolios, A.J. & Brennan, F.P., 2011. "Multi-criteria assessment of offshore wind turbine support structures," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 2831-2837.
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    3. Athanasios Kolios & Varvara Mytilinou & Estivaliz Lozano-Minguez & Konstantinos Salonitis, 2016. "A Comparative Study of Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making Methods under Stochastic Inputs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-21, July.
    4. Kacper Szulecki & Severin Fischer & Anne Therese Gullberg & Oliver Sartor, 2016. "Shaping the ‘Energy Union': between national positions and governance innovation in EU energy and climate policy," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(5), pages 548-567, July.
    5. Wang, Jiang-Jiang & Jing, You-Yin & Zhang, Chun-Fa & Zhao, Jun-Hong, 2009. "Review on multi-criteria decision analysis aid in sustainable energy decision-making," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(9), pages 2263-2278, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jiang, Zhiyu, 2021. "Installation of offshore wind turbines: A technical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    2. Jesuina Chipindula & Venkata Sai Vamsi Botlaguduru & Hongbo Du & Raghava Rao Kommalapati & Ziaul Huque, 2018. "Life Cycle Environmental Impact of Onshore and Offshore Wind Farms in Texas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-18, June.

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