Cost reductions for the offshore wind sector will be possible in certain areas thanks to technical advances and new developments. But other aspects such as availability, mobilisation and demobilisation costs for vessel leave very little leeway for costs cutting. So why not use the available space to deploy additional devices which will not interfere with the optimal working conditions of the offshore wind park? The similarities in the methodologies between offshore wind and marine (wave and tidal) converters as well as the advantages that can be drawn from the combined use of both technologies should prove beneficial to the offshore sector. Of course, this will not happen over night as marine converters need a few years before reaching the reliability and efficiency now visible in offshore wind. Combining both types of technologies in the same area would allow a higher annual production whilst decreasing amongst other costs, environmental impact, health and safety as well as allow improved operation and maintenance and possibly power smoothing. By using the same foundation or by linking the wave or tidal converter directly to the offshore wind turbine's foundation instead of drilling/anchoring at another location, the costs associated to the foundations will be reduced. The same can be applied to the electrics and thus to the costs related to array cabling or cabling to shore. In addition to this, certain marine developers have designed their devices in order to facilitate access to the wind turbine as well as reduce the risks associated to vessel transfer on an offshore wind park. Once proven, this type of device could also enable access to the wind turbine during harsh weather conditions. Combining the scheduled maintenances of the wave or tidal converters to coincide with the ones of the offshore wind turbines could in time also be possible as well as prove to be an asset. Synchronising operation and maintenance schedules would decrease the number of vessels going from shore to the location (or transformer platform/floatel etcetera) and thus consequently reduce also the risk and accessibility difficulties linked to limited weather windows.
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