The main capital costs associated with a standard offshore wind are related with the turbine (38%), the substructure and construction (25%) and transport, installation, and O&M (22%).
The remaining 15% are electrical infrastructure and development/service costs. DTI-F technology offers an integrated design solution capable of solving various problems associated with construction, installation, and maintenance while meeting cost reduction.
The DTI-F technology offers several key advantages:
A simple floating production line, reducing infrastructure requirement.
Modular construction allowing for the precast concrete components to be fabricated off-site, under controlled conditions and improving the overall safety and security.
Precast concrete structures provide superior resistance to erosion and corrosion, allowing to reduce maintenance costs.
Design life up to 100 years.
Environmentally friendly and cost-effective decommissioning.
Tower raised or lower in-situ to the required height without changing the draft or affecting the stability. This capability reduces the use of heavy and costly cranes drastically.
Integrated turbine and foundation installation concept decrease the risk of unplanned installation delays such as transportation delays due weather downtime.
Complete unit with the turbine tower stowed, tested at quayside to allow for troubleshooting before installation.
The use of concrete versus steel contributes to micro-level economic development as existing manufacturing facilities could be employed. The modular design and limited use of steel allow for separate fabrication and assembly sites spreading the work and bringing jobs back to the UK.
Existing floating technology is reliant on heavy transport and lifts vessels, which are costly and limited in availability. The reduced reliance on the major ports will alleviate bottlenecks resulting from competition with the oil and gas industry for space.
DTI-F technology can eliminate key cost drivers in the supply chain associated with port infrastructure, installation, transportation and maintenance vessels.
FWT has developed the DTI-F technology with safety in mind, incorporating work platforms, multiple access points, and tower-lowering features which significantly reduce risk to personnel.