Installation
Figure 7 shows a subdivision of the Installation bar from figure 6. This chart allows a more thorough understanding of the underlying issues. The developers interviewed have clearly shown that foundations and moorings is a key area of concern with 56% of the discussion on Installation barriers being related directly to foundations and moorings.
Many device developers find it difficult to accurately model costs relating to foundations because, as yet, they are unsure of the technique which would be most suitable for their device. One tidal current developer said, "a variety of piling techniques can be used but the industry will eventually converge on the best." This statement highlights the concern, surrounding foundations, within the sector and suggests that developers fear "showing their hand too early" in case their design is not optimal. A Wave Energy Converter developer agreed with this saying, "the greatest uncertainty within the cost calculations comes from the foundation costs." These statements and the results above show there is cross-industry agreement about the issues relating to foundations and moorings.
However, in this field, there is significant potential for collaboration with other sectors (particularly Oil & Gas, but also Offshore Wind) which have been identified by some of the developers interviewed. One device developer has already started working alongside a specialist foundation engineering company whilst a number have been looking towards remotely operated, Subsea Tractors as a means to installing foundations and mooring points.
Many device developers find it difficult to accurately model costs relating to foundations because, as yet, they are unsure of the technique which would be most suitable for their device. One tidal current developer said, "a variety of piling techniques can be used but the industry will eventually converge on the best." This statement highlights the concern, surrounding foundations, within the sector and suggests that developers fear "showing their hand too early" in case their design is not optimal. A Wave Energy Converter developer agreed with this saying, "the greatest uncertainty within the cost calculations comes from the foundation costs." These statements and the results above show there is cross-industry agreement about the issues relating to foundations and moorings.
However, in this field, there is significant potential for collaboration with other sectors (particularly Oil & Gas, but also Offshore Wind) which have been identified by some of the developers interviewed. One device developer has already started working alongside a specialist foundation engineering company whilst a number have been looking towards remotely operated, Subsea Tractors as a means to installing foundations and mooring points.
Figure 7: Factors Contributing to Installation Barriers
Figure 7 also highlights some concern around vessels. Many of the developers interviewed require specialist heavy lift or drilling vessels in order to install their device. These vessels often attract vast charter rates due to their high demand in the Oil and Gas industry and are therefore often inaccessible to the relatively under-financed Marine Energy industry. A tidal current developer suggested, "we should not try to compete with the Oil and Gas sector in the vessel market place" highlighting how a competitor has gone to the lengths of constructing their own construction vessel.
To a lesser extent, the industry has shown some concern relating to methods of recovering the devices for maintenance or overhaul. A number of developers are focusing on simple retrieval techniques to reduce their Operation and Maintenance (O & M) costs. There are two main areas of development in this category - replacing a device like for like and easy disconnection of the device to allow maintenance elsewhere.
To a lesser extent, the industry has shown some concern relating to methods of recovering the devices for maintenance or overhaul. A number of developers are focusing on simple retrieval techniques to reduce their Operation and Maintenance (O & M) costs. There are two main areas of development in this category - replacing a device like for like and easy disconnection of the device to allow maintenance elsewhere.