Project: Dublin Offshore – Load Reduction Device (LRD) for Offshore Floating Wind (FOW) Anchors
Overview:
Dublin Offshore has developed a groundbreaking Load Reduction Device (LRD) for offshore wind (FOW) moorings, which is a major advancement in the offshore wind energy sector. Funded by the Scottish Government as part of the Floating Wind Technology Accelerator Competition (FLW TAC), the LRD aims to increase the performance and efficiency of floating wind platforms by reducing the load on mooring systems. Our animation for Dublin Offshore demonstrates the technology behind the LRD, its development process, and the significant benefits it offers to the floating wind industry, particularly in reducing costs and improving system reliability.
Challenge:
Offshore floating wind turbines rely on robust mooring systems to remain stable in harsh ocean conditions. However, traditional mooring systems often experience high stresses, leading to increased platform stress and high operating costs. The challenge of this animation was to visually demonstrate how the Dublin Offshore LRD effectively reduces mooring loads, resulting in improved performance and cost savings, and how the technology was rigorously tested and validated through various stages, including ocean testing in extreme weather conditions.
Animation Objectives:
The main objectives of this animation were to:
– Showcase LRD Technology: Visually demonstrate the innovative design and performance of the load reduction device in offshore wind mooring systems.
– Showcase the testing process: Highlight the extensive testing process that LRD has undergone, including tank testing, ocean testing, and third-party certification, to ensure its feasibility and performance.
– **Visualize the benefits of load reduction: Clearly demonstrate how LRD reduces mooring line tensions by up to 70% compared to traditional systems and 50% compared to semi-rigid mooring systems.
– Emphasize cost savings: Demonstrate how LRD can lead to a reduction in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of up to 8%, a significant economic benefit for floating wind projects.
Solution:
Our team created an engaging and informative 3D animation that brings Dublin’s LRD technology to life. Key features of the animation include:
– LRD design and performance: A detailed 3D model of the LRD shows how it works to reduce mooring line tensions by converting dynamic ocean forces into controllable compression, thereby reducing the load on the mooring system.
– Dock System Comparison: This animation visually compares traditional steel chain anchors, semi-rigid systems and LRD technology, clearly highlighting the load reduction and performance improvements achieved by LRD.
– Testing and Certification: This animation shows the rigorous testing process, including tank testing, ocean testing off the west coast of Ireland, and the certification process by DNV and EMEC. This process confirms the LRD’s ability to withstand extreme conditions such as Cyclone Epsilon and Cyclone Aiden, where wave heights reached 22 meters.
– Ocean Test Results: This animation shows the deployment of the LRD during ocean testing, highlighting its continuous performance for 1200 hours even in harsh weather conditions and its resilience to damage or degradation.
– Cost Savings and Efficiency: The animation highlights the cost saving potential of the LRD, showing how its use leads to reduced CAPEX in the mooring system and floating platform, and lowers the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). Up to 8%
Result:
The final animation effectively showcases Dublin Offshore’s LRD technology as a revolutionary solution in the floating offshore wind sector. By visually demonstrating the LRD design, testing process and significant load reduction benefits, the animation serves as a powerful tool for presenting the technology to stakeholders, investors and potential customers in the offshore wind energy industry. The animation not only highlights the technological innovation behind LRD, but also emphasizes its economic benefits in reducing operating costs and improving the overall efficiency of floating wind farms.
This content will help your animation studio become a leader in visualizing complex offshore energy technologies while showcasing Dublin Offshore’s advanced load reduction device and its impact on the future of floating wind energy.
