The offshore wind industry is vital for achieving net-zero goals and ensuring energy security. As governments worldwide invest in offshore wind as a major factor in meeting these sustainability targets, it has never been more critical to prioritize safety in decision-making to keep essential assets operational. However, this industry encounters distinct fire safety challenges that could lead to significant repercussions if not appropriately addressed.
Unique challenges necessitate unique solutions
Fire incidents on offshore wind assets, particularly on transformer platforms, can yield disastrous results. In 2022, 225 high-risk incidents were documented in the UK offshore wind sector, reflecting a 10% increase from 2021. Although a limited number of these incidents may pertain to transformer platforms, it underscores the hazards confronting the sector.
Offshore wind farms are typically located far from the coast, rendering rapid emergency response difficult; subsequently, the time needed to reach these remote sites can exacerbate the severity of incidents. These locations are often unmanned, or personnel working at offshore wind farms have limited evacuation options, further heightening the demand for a tailored automated solution.
Transformer platforms serve as central hubs for multiple turbines, converting the alternating current (AC) generated by the offshore wind turbines into direct current (DC) for efficient long-distance transmission, making them vital nodes within the infrastructure. They house essential equipment that can be extremely vulnerable to damage from fires, leading to electrical failures, loss of power control, and even explosions, which could render multiple turbines inoperative. Adding to the complexity is the requirement for specialized equipment and firefighting methods suited for combating electrical fires in a marine setting.
The immediate effect of a transformer platform becoming non-operational is a decrease in the renewable energy supply to the grid. As we enhance renewable capacity, wind farms are increasingly crucial for maintaining grid stability. The sudden loss of power from an offshore wind farm can strain other components of the power network, necessitating quick adjustments to preserve grid reliability and potentially leading to greater reliance on less environmentally friendly backup power sources such as fossil fuels.
Protecting these installations is of utmost importance, not only to safeguard infrastructure but also to ensure the continuous delivery of renewable energy to the grid. These distinct challenges and their subsequent impacts demand unique solutions.
Out with the old, in with the new, right? Incorrect.
While it may seem relatively new, the first offshore wind farm—Vindeby Offshore Wind Farm—was indeed constructed off the coast of Denmark in 1991. The fixed wind farm was located in water depths of only 4 meters and did not necessitate a transformer platform, yet it sparked the advancement of offshore wind power over the following three decades.
Now, with offshore wind farms dating back to 2006 still operational, we must not overlook the significance of protecting aging infrastructure alongside new field development. In fact, older assets—alongside retrofitting them with appropriate fire detection systems—might pose the greatest challenge.
Fire safety regulations evolve over time, and maintaining aged assets helps guarantee they remain reliable and compliant with current standards. This is vital for legal and operational reasons, but regular maintenance and upgrades of fire safety systems can contribute to extending the overall lifespan of the assets, enhancing long-term sustainability and performance.
Ultimately, as fire safety technology advances, maintaining and upgrading systems on aging assets enables wind farms to benefit from improved detection and suppression capabilities to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Leveraging the right expertise
Selecting the appropriate partner becomes not just beneficial but essential—for both new and aging assets.
While the scale and complexity of the fire safety and detection systems required on offshore transformer platforms may not mirror those found in oil and gas settings, the expertise in operating in harsh or remote environments to protect critical infrastructure does.
Blaze, supported by a team with over five decades of operational and engineering experience spanning the energy and industrial sectors, offers a flexible approach to meet the distinct needs of the offshore wind industry. It specializes in engineering customized fire safety systems that address the unique hazards associated with offshore energy assets, focusing on tailored engineering solutions rather than generic products.
Drawing upon that expertise, Blaze has a track record in the renewables sector dating back to 2006. Its experience ranges from the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of fire protection and detection systems on new construction assets to existing infrastructure, with long-term integrated maintenance contracts with companies like Ørsted, protecting vital fixed fire safety and detection systems on nine North Sea offshore wind assets.
The offshore wind sector is fundamental to the transition towards sustainable energy; however, it presents unique challenges that cannot be underestimated. Effective fire safety solutions are not merely about safeguarding infrastructure; they are crucial for ensuring the steady supply of renewable energy upon which modern power grids increasingly depend. Nevertheless, to tackle these challenges, the right partner is imperative.
Although the oil and gas sector and the renewables industry have not always been in alignment, their collaboration is essential to harnessing critical skills, knowledge, and expertise unique to these sectors if we are to achieve a resilient and dependable renewable future.
Stuart was appointed operations director of Blaze Manufacturing, a leading provider of fire safety protection, detection, and loss prevention solutions, in December 2021. A certified CA with business management experience gained across the finance, logistics, and engineering sectors, Stuart is responsible for developing the company’s strategy and execution capability alongside his fellow directors. Stuart oversees the commercial, operational, supply chain, finance, QHSE, and HR functions within Blaze. After joining the board of trustees of The Aberdeen Hall in 2019, a charitable organization supporting individuals in the North East of Scotland toward independent living, learning, and work, Stuart was appointed non-executive Chair in January 2022. In his free time, Stuart enjoys playing golf, watching soccer and motorsport, and spending time with his family.
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