ICorr Annual Corrosion Forum 2022

The focus of this year’s forum was energy transition and young engineers in the corrosion industry. For the first time, the forum was a hybrid event and attended in person or via Zoom.

Presentation Abstract

Protective coatings remain the most widely used of the various options for corrosion protection including within the offshore renewable energy sector. With offshore wind turbines deployed successfully over the last twenty years and with some of the early structures now having been removed and replaced by larger facilities, more is known about the challenges and conditions protective coatings endure. Whilst selection of a protective coating system has historically been using standards and specifications transferred from the oil and gas sector, more focus is now placed on the specific requirements for offshore wind structures. 

Offshore wind turbine structures are exposed to environments with high salinity, high levels of UV radiation, the presence of cathodic protection and other factors. As well as the offshore turbines themselves, larger offshore structures such as transformer stations may have more extensive coating requirements including the need for passive fire protection. As the industry transitions to floating structures designs may also have the challenges associated with marine fouling as well as more extensive coating work scopes. 

Additionally with longer design lives required for current and future assets more dedicated specifications are available, however some challenges exist ensuring proper execution of the specification during aggressive construction schedules. Given the costly nature off offshore rectification this is also an area which requires constant attention to detail to prevent saving up costs for the future. 

Corrosion issues within existing fixed wind turbine facilities have highlighted coating requirements more extensive than previously foreseen. Different long term performance requirements, coupled with increased productivity to meet offshore renewables targets means that coating selection must be carefully considered. Furthermore, with an increased focus on floating wind structures which have additional coating requirements and challenges to consider, the presentation will look at:

• Types of offshore structures used in wind power generation
• Different corrosive categories found internally and externally
• Overview of corrosion protection issues experienced in fixed bottom structures 
• Existing specifications used in coating selection and how they differ between fixed and floating wind structures. 
• Comparison of specifications currently used in offshore wind such as NOROSK M-501, DNV, NACE and VGB/BAW as well as the development of future specifications 

The presentation concluded with suggestions around how better integration of coating planning and activities throughout the lifecycle of an asset can help to reduce ultimate costs associated with coating and related activities.