Glasgow-based offshore survey specialist Partrac has been selected by Statoil to provide real-time wave and current measurement services for Hywind Scotland, the world’s first floating wind farm.
Partrac has been contracted for a minimum of 1 year, with multi-year contract extension options, to manage the deployment and maintenance of the equipment, and the delivery of real-time waves and current data, during the construction and testing phases of the development.
Partrac selected a Triaxys wave with currents buoy to provide real-time wave spectra, current profile and sea surface temperature data. Partrac designed a custom mooring solution, to survive the 50 year storm parameters at Buchan Deep, 25km off Peterhead, Scotland.
The Hywind installation team requires regular and reliable wave and current data to inform safety critical operations. In addition the structural monitoring team require the data to assess performance of the of the Hywind turbines, spar buoys and moorings across the range of metocean conditions experienced in the Northern North Sea.
The metocean monitoring solution was deployed in mid-July, prior to the installation of the first Hywind turbines. All five Siemens 6MW turbines have now been installed and the first electricity is expected in October.
Sam Athey , Director at Partrac, said: “Partrac are very active within the supply chain providing metocean monitoring for a range of major offshore wind projects, and thus we are delighted to be delivering these services for the worlds first floating wind farm. Hywind Scotland is the flagship project for floating wind globally, and we look forward to playing our part in the success of this project and the evolution of the floating wind industry.”