Offshore Substation Installation Methodology

For details of the code implementation, please see Offshore Substation Installation API.

Overview

The OffshoreSubstationInstallation module simulates the installation of offshore substations and their associated substructures. ORBIT currently only considers monopile substructures, though future release will extend this module to include an option for jacket substructures. The installation of the substructure and substation topside is completed with an installation vessel while components are delivered to site using a feeder barge.

Processes

Port Operations

The feeder barge loads and fastens components on deck at port using the port crane. The default times for fastening each component to deck are listed below.

Component	Inputs	Default
Monopile	mono_fasten_time	12h
Topside	topside_fasten_time	2h

Currently, all vessels are only able to load multiples of complete sets of components (monopile and topside).

Monopile Installation

Monopile substructures are installed using the installation processes outlined in the MonopileInstallation module (process diagram with feeder barges).

Topside Installation

Once the monopile is installed on-site, the topside can be released from deck storage and attached to the substructure. The following processes outline the code the processes the installation vessel takes to complete this task:

Action	Inputs	Default
Reequip Crane	crane_reequip_time	1h
Release Topside	topside_release_time	2h
Lift Topside	wtiv.crane_rate wave_height	calculated
Pump Grout	grout_pump_time	2h
Cure Grout	grout_cure_time	24h
Jack-down	depth, extension speed_above_depth speed_below_depth	calculated