Weather report
The Met Office are working alongside the wind energy industry to support renewable energy projects
The UK leads the world in offshore energy production. With the Crown Estate recently issuing licenses for developing Round 3 wind farm zones, the successful companies face the exciting prospect of generating enough electricity from clean, green and renewable sources to supply the majority of UK homes.
Over the next 10 years, investments of £72 billion are planned for UK offshore wind energy, which offer a huge opportunity for new commercial projects in addition to realising the low carbon targets that the Government has set.
As the UK’s national weather service, the Met Office has over 150 years’ forecasting know-how and decades of in-depth experience of working offshore with the oil and gas industry. Drawing from this expertise, they are increasingly working with the wind energy industry, in the UK and across Europe, over the lifecycle of renewables projects, to help optimise their return on investment.
Climate
Weather and climate have a huge impact on the success of both offshore and onshore renewable energy projects. Dual operation centres at the company’s headquarters in Exeter and at their marine centre of excellence in Aberdeen guarantee an accurate and reliable supply of weather and metocean information. As the industry grows, working in partnership can occur to provide tailored solutions to the challenges ahead and help reduce the risks with expert advice during planning, construction and operations.
For the early stages of site selection, the Met Office can help recognise weather trends by:
• analysing historic/hindcast data on site-specific locations to determine their suitability;
• deploying buoys to capture real-time wind and wave measurements offshore;
• estimations of wind resource to help determine economic viability;
• provide metocean information to enhance engineering design.
Furthermore, to optimise safety and efficiency during offshore construction, operations and maintenance activities, there is also a wide range of forecast packages that is offered. These include the Safesee(tm) web system which acts as a ‘one-stop shop’ for all short-term weather forecasts, allowing people to make crucial ‘go’ / ‘no-go’ decisions.
In fact, the Met Office were closely involved in providing on-site forecasters to assist with weather sensitive operations and provided the weather forecast advice for the identification of a suitable weather opportunity for the installation of the jacket and turbines for the Beatrice Wind Farm Demonstrator Project. This was led by Talisman Energy (UK) Limited and Scottish and Southern Energy.
Detailed tailored weather forecasts were supplied, and a forecaster onboard the Saipem S7000 crane vessel during the decommissioning operations of the Frigg Oil Field in the North Sea.
Operations
The operations were weather critical, so the Met Office had to work closely with owners Total E&P and main contractor Aker Offshore Partner on the final phase of operations. The final piece of the decommissioning project required a 72-hour weather window to remove the QP jacket (a 113m high structure with four legs) and carry the complete structure to Stord, Norway.
Gordon McKinstry of the Offshore Marine Consultant Team took part in the final phase of the project: “We needed a very precise weather window of 72 hours. Fortunately the model guidance and enhanced swell graphics indicated a period within limits. However, it would be tight and we would have to consider making for cover in one of the Norwegian Fjords. The lift went smoothly and we made it to Stord just as the winds began freshening - as forecast!”
Met Office forecasters were highly praised throughout the operation, for their detailed advice, often in extremely challenging and adverse conditions. The Met Office Offshore Marine Consultant Team was awarded with certificates from Total in recognition of the important part the team played in achieving 150 days without a lost time incident.
There is a range of services for onshore renewable energy solutions at the Met Office, which allows the provision of holistic solutions for the entire energy lifecycle. The services within the Met Office help the industry manage maintenance schedules, operational risks and power outputs for multiple wind farm sites onshore while monitoring weather conditions offshore.
Expansion
The Crown’s decision marks the biggest expansion of wind energy ever seen in the world and protects the long term energy and climate security of the UK while supporting around 70,000 jobs in the wind energy industry.
At the Met Office, they regard themselves as having a solid understanding of the impact the weather can have on the wind energy industry. The company are committed to providing quality services to their customers based on an understanding of their needs. The commitment offered to accuracy and timeliness means value can be added to businesses. And as an organisation committed to acting in an environmentally responsibly manner, supporting the future of the UK renewables market is the key priority.
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