KR Webzine Vol.131

1. Importance of HSE in the wind energy sector

Wind power is a clean energy. Clean energy means the power generated does not pollute the environment and in addition, many people describe it as a safe energy, created without damaging people. As a result, occupational health and safety is an important factor for the success of wind projects. As more offshore wind farms are constructed and become operational in Korea, so the importance of HSE is increasing.
KR has developed HSE guidelines and a manual for offshore substations in partnership with KEPRI (Korea Electric Power Research Institute).

2. HSE guidelines and manual for offshore wind substations

Offshore oil and gas platforms tend to be permanently manned with many workers on site. These platforms produce oil and gas which makes the fire and explosion risk very high. Offshore wind platforms are unmanned but there are many platforms comprising each wind farm which make the transportation of people between platforms more important. As a result, typical HSE management methods need to be modified for offshore wind projects.

Offshore wind farm development started in the 1990s but most have been installed more recently.

A risk based approach should be applied to the HSE management of such new systems. This works to prevent and reduce the instances of unexpected accidents and incidents by identifying risk.

KR has developed these HSE guidelines based on a solid risk management approach.  The guidelines cover;

Figure:  Sequence of Risk Assessment

KR has also developed a manual which contains detailed actions for HSE, and includes the following contents:

Figure:  Cover of HSE Guidelines and Manual

 
The new guidelines and manual are expected to be used as the foundation for offshore wind platform HSE and to boost interest in the importance of HSE across this sector.

As experience across the sector increases, the guidelines and manual will be updated. Likewise, as more offshore wind farms are located further away from the shore and new types of offshore wind such as floating offshore wind platforms become more common, so the guidelines and manual must be revised to reflect industry developments.