A mixed-method optimisation and simulation framework for supporting logistical decisions during offshore wind farm installations

摘要

Highlights?A mixed method approach supports decision making for offshore wind farm installation.?An optimisation tool identifies the optimal sequencing of installation operations.?A simulation tool identifies robust start-dates with respect to seasonality.?A case study installation is investigated to demonstrate this mixed method approach.AbstractWith a typical investment in excess of ￡100 million for each project, the installation phase of offshore wind farms (OWFs) is an area where substantial cost-reductions can be achieved; however, to-date there have been relatively few studies exploring this. In this paper, we develop a mixed-method framework which exploits the complementary strengths of two decision-support methods: discrete-event simulation and robust optimisation. The simulation component allows developers to estimate the impact of user-defined a