ScottishPower continues to advance research into the electrification of offshore wind operations in the United Kingdom

Studies commissioned by ScottishPower Renewables, the renewable energy subsidiary of the Iberdrola Group in the United Kingdom, reveal that offshore recharging of battery-powered vessels for offshore wind maintenance operations could be viable in future wind farms.

The reports—by MJR Power & Automation and Oasis Marine—are the latest in a series of three studies exploring options for decarbonizing and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from offshore wind farm operations.

The studies consolidate initial findings that the electrification of offshore operations is technically feasible using battery-powered service operation vessels (E-SOVs). The potential for decarbonizing offshore operations using electric crew transfer vessels (CTVs) that could be used for wind farms located closer to shore was also assessed, and the results confirmed that this is technically and operationally feasible.

In both cases, wind farms will benefit environmentally and economically, with significant reductions in both greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs.

You can read the full story in the ScottishPower Renewables Media Room.