Weather window and efficiency assessment of offshore wind power construction in China adjacent seas using the calibrated SWAN model. (1st September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Zihao; Lin, Yifan; Dong, Sheng
• Is Part Of: Ocean engineering. Volume 259(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-01
• Subjects: Offshore wind power -- Construction -- SWAN -- Model calibration -- Reanalysis wind fields -- China adjacent Seas; Ocean engineering -- Periodicals; Ocean engineering; Periodicals; 620.4162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.111933
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-8018

Abstract

Abstract: Waves simulated by a high-resolution calibrated SWAN model of China adjacent seas over a long-term period (from 1996 to 2020) are utilized to investigate the characteristics of offshore wind power construction efficiency. The model is forced by validated ERA5 wind data, which shows better agreement with ICOADS observations than CCMPv2 and CFSR&CFSv2. During the calibration process, we focused on wind input, whitecapping, and bottom friction terms and on whitecapping dissipation and bottom friction coefficients. Statistical error analysis of the calibration results demonstrates that the underestimation of significant wave height simulated with default settings has been corrected and the model performance has been improved in the study area. The assessment results revealed that construction efficiency has significant spatial and temporal variation characteristics. Annual and monthly averaged workloads of pile foundation construction and wind turbine installation are distinctly different since their specific weather restrictions and durations. Generally speaking, weather conditions from May to August are more favourable for offshore construction. In winter, offshore construction is strongly suggested to be stopped especially for sea areas of Fujian and Guangdong. For selected projects, the key environmental factors affecting offshore operation are different, which should be considered to improve construction efficiency and further decrease cost. Highlights: ERA5 wind field provides higher accuracy than CCMPv2 and CFSR&CFSv2. The calibration of SWAN model improves its accuracy in China adjacent seas. Offshore construction efficiency has significant temporal and spatial variation. Key environmental factor affecting construction efficiency changes with location.