The purpose of this project was to establish a methodological framework for estimating the installation cost of
offshore wind energy devices in the US OCS and
providing removal cost estimates. The scope of work was broken up into
the following tasks:
Task 1. Review and synthesize the installation methods and costs of
current and proposed offshore wind energy projects, internationally and
domestically, using both primary and secondary data sources including
interviews with project personnel;
Task 2. Describe the factors that determine installation costs and
equipment requirements, and highlight the market conditions in each OCS
region (Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico) for the marine vessels
required in wind, wave, and current device installation;
Task 3. Develop time tables and engineering cost models across each
stage of the installation process for offshore energy projects in each
OCS region according to:
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Foundation transport and installation
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Device transport and installation
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Mooring transport and installation
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Electrical interface and cable layout and connection
- Substation transport and installation for existing,
proposed, and possible commercial developments;
Task 4. Review and synthesize the removal requirements of current and
proposed offshore energy projects by reviewing decommissioning program
documents of international and domestic projects;
Task 5. Propose removal cost estimates for energy conversion devices
in demonstration, planning, and potential commercial development;
Task 6. Compare cost estimates against actual project cost data and
development scenarios where such data is available. |