Design for Reliable Power Performance (D4REL) is an R&D project to improve the reliability and controllability of offshore wind farms to reduce the operational uncertainty of future offshore wind farms.
Work package 3 of the D4REL project investigates where cost reductions in the support structure are possible while keeping a sound and safe design. Probabilistic design methods (structural reliability methods) are used to study whether there is any conservatism in the design of support structures.
In this report a general framework for reliability assessment of existing monopile design is given. As an introduction design requirements for offshore wind support structures as recommended in guidelines and standards are briefly explained. Next a general framework for reliability assessment of offshore wind support structures is outlined. Finally, the outlined approach is illustrated using a simple case study.