High-performance synthetic materials can make offshore operations more cost-effective while reducing the use of fossil resources, says DSM Dyneema's segment manager for offshore energy and maritime Jorn Boesten
There has never been more urgent attention placed on sustainability and the harmful effects of pollution. All too often we are faced with devastating images of garbage cluttering the oceans and the tragic consequences it has for wildlife.
However, we also see more and more effort being put towards finding workable solutions such as phasing out plastic straws, bags, bottles and cups. As the world is becoming more active in striving for permanent solutions, it is important to clarify the distinction between single-use low-end plastics and high-performing synthetic materials that provide a more sustainable solution. Materials such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibres can offer many benefits in offshore and marine applications. Ropes and slings made with such materials, like our Dyneema fibre, significantly reduce the carbon footprint per deepwater lift, tug operation and ship mooring.
New high-performance materials mean it is possible to provide a synthetic rope solution with significantly extended service life under extreme bending conditions. This is highly relevant in lowering the levelised cost of energy of tidal or wave energy systems. Lightweight and durable synthetic materials lead to sustainable employability and have an impact on the overall cost effectiveness of offshore operations, while also reducing the carbon footprint and use of fossil resources.
Offshore windfarms are an essential and ever-growing source of renewable energy. Nevertheless, building these installations is a major, and costly, challenge. However, switching to synthetic slings allows for installations to be carried out in a faster, safer manner, which leads to an overall lower cost of renewable energy.
Deepwater installations are another example of how these materials can contribute towards a brighter future. To illustrate this application, it is important to review the limitations of a steel rope, still used in some installations. To install a 230-tonne piece of subsea equipment at 2,500 m, the added weight of the steel cables at this depth means the crane has to have an operating capacity of around 400 tonnes, almost double the load it is installing. This has a massive knock-on effect as it requires a ship to be large enough to support a 400-tonne crane.
In contrast, by using lightweight, high-performance materials for the ropes, the operating load of the crane can be much lower, even dropping below 250 tonnes. This not only reduces the size of the ship needed, but also reduces the number of crew, amount of fuel and other operating costs. In the typical operating life of a ship this size, those savings can really add up, potentially saving as much as 25% of the opex.
We consider our company to be a science-driven and purpose led business that focuses on providing innovations that address the challenges posed by real-world applications. Our priority and commitment is to actively address some of today’s key environmental challenges. We are already involved with tidal energy generation being developed by Minesto, a system that can only employ a low-weight synthetic rope. We have partnered with The Ocean Clean-up Project since its initial stages to develop an advanced technological system for removing plastic waste from the world’s oceans. We will continue to create a safer environment for all and enable the maritime and offshore industries to open the doors to a greener, sustainable future, by partnering with and supporting companies that share our mission.
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