Maintenance logistics for offshore wind energy – simulation study for analyzing dynamic influences on service logistics for offshore wind turbines

In this article a simulation study is introduced that analyses the impact of the prediction accuracy of weather conditions on logistics processes for the maintenance of offshore wind energy turbines. This involves defining the prevailing framework conditions and the related logistics processes. Subsequently, the considered scenarios as well as a discussion of the simulation results are presented. The article concludes with an outlook on the impact of weather prediction accuracy on the entire logistics network for offshore wind energy maintenance services. The main objective of this simulation study is to prove the reduction of costs for offshore service logistics by improved weather prediction. In this context, a reduction of operating costs as well as an increased availability of the offshore wind energy turbines are targeted. The results of the simulation study show that an improved prediction accuracy, especially for the maximum wave height as most important criterion for deployment decisions, leads to significant cost savings. © 2016, Carl Hanser Verlag. All rights reserved.