A review on data-centric decision tools for offshore wind operation and maintenance activities: challenges and opportunities

This paper reviews state-of-the-art numerical tools for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of offshore wind farms, focusing on decision support models for maintenance scheduling and the consideration of human and environmental uncertainty. In this review, various factors that can influence the successful conduct of maintenance operations will be examined and special attention will be paid to the most significant ones. Data-driven technologies for improved offshore asset management are also examined and the most used data-driven methods for modelling and optimising turbine operation and maintenance are presented. A focus will be placed on the choice of maintenance strategy, which is the basis for the planning of operations and thus the optimisation problem discussed. As offshore maintenance is a complex operation whose efficiency and safety depend on human and environmental factors, special attention will be paid to the planning strategy that minimises the risks involved while maximising efficiency by considering these factors. The choice of planning technique for turbine maintenance and better consideration of uncertainties are crucial areas of improvement as they can lead to better overall efficiency, higher profit margins, better safety, and improved sustainability of offshore wind farms. The paper covers the application of digital technologies for offshore wind O&M planning and the associated challenges. The paper also highlights the various environmental and human factors to be considered for the operation and maintenance of wind turbines.