Offshore Logistics: Vessels & Foundations, 17th -18th June 2020

Meet the Speaker: Mark Wray

Mark Wray works on Buildings & Infrastructure at Innovate UK – Knowledge Transfer Network. We interviewed him ahead of the Offshore Logistics: Vessels and Foundations event, where he’ll be speaking on how port infrastructure can support the energy transition.

One of the big themes of this year’s event is bigger and more powerful turbines, why do you think this is such a challenge for the industry?

Some of the aspects we have been supporting the industry around have been related to the ever increasing size of turbines: this includes simply how to manoeuvre them both offshore and onshore; how to manufacture, in particular how to ensure quality of assembly and finish;  how to address the increased stresses placed on the foundations, in particular grouting of pile jacks and vibration leading to fatigue.

What do you think are the top 3 challenges facing the wind power industry, and in particular Offshore Logistics at the moment?

  1. Climate change – we are seeing year on year increases in weather event frequency, duration and impact, which is putting increased demands on the existing structures, the operational and installation systems and creating challenges for the designs for new fields.
  2. Demand for services – as the World’s leaders and Nations (well almost all of them) strive to increase energy sourced from renewable sources, offshore wind becomes an attractive option and this could rapidly become a source for overheating of the market if not monitored and coordinated. If major nations like South Korea, Japan, etc. make a sudden step change in demand this could lead to a rapid increase in demand for services.
  3. Availability of economically affordable sites – the industry continues to occupy available shallow water sites, and so to maintain supply, the industry needs to move to deeper water or more remote / exposed sites. This prompts the need for alternate designs and for advanced means to install and maintain them.

Why is the topic that you are speaking on important to you and the industry?

I will be taking part in a panel discussion on “how port infrastructure can support the energy transition [decarbonised energy]”.  Decarbonising the maritime sector is a grand challenge for the UK; as a seafaring nation we have almost a quarter of all the ports and harbours in Europe around our shoreline.  

Ports can be a significant source of carbon emissions and localised poor air quality.  As the majority of ports are located next to urban areas, this can lead to significant health implications for those living and working in the vicinity. Transitioning to zero carbon and ultra low emission energy usage is seen as a key strategic priority for the UK’s maritime sector and one which requires a concerted and innovative effort to address.  

What other session on the agenda are you looking forward to attending and why?

The Day 1 presentation session on “How is the development of drone technology changing operations and maintenance strategies for offshore wind farms?” Last year, we were supporting a Turbine OEM in finding innovative new approaches for inspection both below and above water, inside and outside of the turbines, and drones were a part of the solutions we attracted.  It will be interesting to see if there is anything we need to be aware of, that we missed.

How did you come to be in the wind power industry?

I would consider myself to be merely an interloper in the wind power industry. Being a Civil Engineer I have a basic understanding of the wider industry laced with a specialist interest in niche challenges, where we look to help clients find innovative solutions.

What industry/sector would you be in, if you had not joined this one?

I am rooted in the infrastructure sector but specialise in innovation and cross sector collaborative work to develop the technologies and solutions for tomorrow’s problems.  Which translates to me being a ‘jack of all trades, master of none!’.