Concrete gravity bases could be a credible solution for offshore wind farms
THE potential demand for aggregates for ballast, scour protection and concrete to deliver gravity bases for offshore wind farms has increased since the release of ‘Offshore Wind: A 2013 supply chain health check’, by BVG Associates for The Crown Estate.
In this report, elements in the supply chain are assessed and ultimately rated on a green, amber and red scale. The majority of the 22 elements are given a green rating. Tellingly, however, one of only three elements to be judged red is vessels for installing steel foundations (previously rated amber), whilst both steel and concrete foundations are rated as amber, as in June 2012.
A spokesperson for The Concrete Centre said: ‘Clearly, there is still work to be done to avoid foundations and their installation being a restriction on the UK offshore wind project. However, with concrete gravity bases not being restricted by installation vessels their potential market share can be viewed more positively than the steel alternatives.’
The Concrete Centre and its offshore wind gravity base interest group has worked for several years to establish concrete gravity bases as a credible solution offered by internationally recognized companies and consortia.
BVG acknowledge that for concrete gravity bases: a manufacturing facility can be built quickly; designs do not need costly heavy-lift crane vessels; benefits include reduced exposure to relatively volatile steel prices and removal of the need for sea-bed piling, which is likely to be a major planning constraint for some projects; and, unlike other novel technologies, there is confidence in the long-term performance of concrete structures in offshore applications from other sectors.’
BVG Associates will be presenting the report at the Offshore Wind London Conference on Thursday 5 December, hosted by The Concrete Centre.
