The Theory Of Constraints Edition
John MacAskill
Accelerating renewables one ? at a time | Offshore wind & supply chain expert | Establishing & growing businesses across the offshore wind value chain | BD & marketing expert | Industry Speaker
Well hello everyone, thanks for opening and reading (this far).
No pre-amble...let's get straight to it.
Well this edition brings you:
? My new lead blog: Offshore Wind and The Theory of Constraints.
? Some news and where you can bump into us...
? ...and of course some ? coffee...a word from our sponsor!
???? ...what I listened to on vacation over the last 2 weeks, and which metal festivals you can find me at over the summer!
So please read on and share this with colleagues...get them to subscribe!
In our ever-evolving and growing world of renewable energy, the offshore wind sector has the potential to provide a significant backbone of our clean power needs, it also innovates as it matures and grows. Yet, as we scale these heights, we encounter familiar challenges...and they remind me of those faced in the manufacturing processes I worked in.
Our sector’s innovation currently is almost always centred on technology. But as we mature – a long way to go believe me – we need to look at beyond an ever larger WTG etc and into process.
The recent spotlight on the bottleneck in installation vessel availability for offshore wind farms, as detailed in a Bloomberg article a few weeks ago now, resonated with me and reminded me of the core principles of Eliyahu M. Goldratt's seminal work, "The Goal." This situation not only harks back to my days of LEAN, Zero-Defects, and process improvement in industry, but also underscores the multifaceted challenges and the necessity for a collaborative – I won’t say ‘collective’ as it will give some of my US industry colleagues an aneurism - approach in our offshore wind sector.
The echoes of "The Goal" in offshore wind
At the heart of "The Goal" is the Theory of Constraints (TOC), a methodology for identifying the most significant limiting factor (i.e., bottleneck) in achieving a goal and systematically improving that constraint until it is no longer the limiting factor. The narrative of the Wind Osprey (and Wind Orca, both Cadeler O-Class vessels), a vessel retrofitted with a crane capable of lifting massive wind turbine components, exemplifies the industry's response to the burgeoning demand for offshore wind energy and the consequent strain on installation vessel availability. This scenario mirrors the manufacturing bottlenecks addressed in "The Goal," where the focus on optimising throughput, inventory, and operational expense offers a pathway to enhanced efficiency and productivity.
From theory to practice: addressing the vessel bottleneck
Applying the principles of TOC to the offshore wind sector, and specifically to the vessel bottleneck, involves a multi-pronged approach:
1. Exploit: Maximise the use of existing vessels through efficiency improvements, so the thorough planning around project constraints (e.g. supply of components, tides) such as optimising load-outs and installation sequences and so reducing turnaround times. Also ensuring you have the ‘the right vessel for the job’, so not too oversized and depriving a project that it is more suited for.
2. Subordinate: Align all other processes to the bottleneck's pace, ensuring that installation vessels are fully utilised and not waiting on other parts of the process, such as supply or pre-assembly of components, or competent resource.
3. Elevate: Invest in more vessels or enhance the capabilities of existing ones, while innovating in installation and maintenance methodologies (e.g. alternative lifting methodologies for major component exchange) to reduce dependence on specialised vessels.
4. Repeat: Continuously assess and address new bottlenecks as they emerge, fostering an environment of perpetual improvement, versus addressing issues reactively.
The broader canvas: a single developer's challenge
For a single developer however, the bottlenecks in offshore wind development extend beyond vessel availability. They encompass consenting processes, grid availability, material, talent, component supply, and turbine availability, etc. Applying "The Goal"'s philosophy to this broader context underscores the complexity of managing and optimising the entire wind farm development lifecycle. Developers face challenges ranging from financial and human resource constraints to regulatory and technical hurdles, all of which demand a strategic, holistic approach to project management and execution.
The imperative of collaboration and government support
The multifaceted nature of the challenges in offshore wind development underscores the limitations of a single developer's efforts to address these bottlenecks independently. Collaboration across the industry, including partnerships with suppliers, engagement with regulatory bodies, non-profit / innovation and R&D centres (such as Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult , EMEC and The Carbon Trust ), and alliances with other developers, becomes crucial. Such collaborations can share risks, pool resources, and foster innovations that elevate the collective capability to address the bottlenecks.
Moreover, government support plays a pivotal role in catalysing the development of the offshore wind sector. Policies that streamline consenting processes, investments in grid infrastructure, and financial incentives for innovation can significantly alleviate the bottlenecks. Governments can also facilitate the formation of industry consortia and partnerships that leverage the strengths of multiple stakeholders to tackle the shared challenges.
Reflections and moving forward
The journey of applying the lessons from "The Goal" to the offshore wind sector brings to light the dynamic interplay between theory and practice. It emphasises not only the relevance of these principles in addressing the current bottleneck in vessel supply but also their applicability to the broader challenges faced by single developers. The path forward requires a collaborative ethos, supported by conducive government policies, to fully harness the lessons of LEAN and process improvement for the offshore wind sector.
Of course, this should be restricted to just vessels. Solve one bottleneck and you move onto another, so ports (for T&I and O&M purposes) and fabrication capabilities are also constraints within the wider offshore wind ‘system’ that we also should addressing.
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As we reflect on these challenges and opportunities, it becomes evident to me that the principles outlined in "The Goal" offer more than a roadmap for optimising complex manufacturing processes; they provide a lens through which to view the complexities of offshore wind development. Are we beginning to see the value of apply process innovation to how we develop and industrialise offshore wind…or are we still in the ‘cottage industry’ phase of our sector?
Happy to discuss process innovation and how we as an industry could apply this to our projects and industry, you know how to get me...reach out.
Some recent news and blogs from OWC and the rest of the ABL Group . Check out the news and insights and reach out if you want to know how we can help you:
Meet me and our renewables teams at the following events over the next month or so:
This edition comes to you powered by KAWA Coffee Ltd . Thanks again to KAWA founder Regan Black for his continued support of this Newsletter...it runs on coffee...
Just back from a 2 week beach vacation. So lot's of Police procedural thrillers and of course metal. I listened to a fair bit of new metal albums, some of them if you fancy a spin:
Accept's Humanoid. I first saw Accept as an eager denim clad 17 yo at Monsters of Rock at Castle Donnington in 1984, my first festival (more on that below)! The 'Teutonic Titans' (? KERRANG!) made an impression and lifelong fan. This album is no revolution, just great tunes, riffs and solos. Love it.
Atr? Bilis' Aumicide. The Canadian band's sophomore album does not fall to that 2nd album curse. It is, if it was possible, more bludgeoning than their debut. But the amazing tech death artistry remains. A fantastical and gruesome concept and some amazing songs. I came home to a physical LP from their label 20 Buck Spin , currently my 'goto label' for the best, most innovative, death and black metal.
Tombstoner's Rot Stink Rip. Another Sophomore album that does not disappoint. A great step up from the first album. The album is a catchy riff fest that kept my head banging on the lilo (don't think about it, my wife had enough to say). But accessible thrashy, old school, tempo changes...and just plain fun. Will be one of my revisited albums.
Shout outs to Nuclear Tomb, Mutation Barbecue (still loving than name), All Hail The Yeti, Darkthrone and many others old and new for filling my ear buds with metal during my break.
So onto my summer Festivals. Let me know if you are attending either of these...
DOWNLOAD 2024. In June I will be visiting Castle Donnington for a 40th anniversary since my first metal festival at the same location. Back in 1984 it was Motley Crue (their 1st UK show), Accept, Y&T, Gary Moore, Ozzy, Van Halen (their last UK show with Dave Lee Roth) and AC/DC. This year much more bands but including Queens of the Stone Age, Creeper, Pantera, Machine Head...
Bloodstock 2024. In August for my favourite fest. Bands include Opeth, Amon Amarth, Clutch, Hellripper and many many more.
So let me know and we can try a meet up.
Well that's it for this edition.
Thanks for spending some time reading it. Please subscribe, comment, and share with colleagues.
So stay safe, enjoy life, and catch you next time and at events in the real world. ????
Cheers
Calm pathfinder ? Leading Mind Health Revolution @ Wellness Orbit ? Visionary, securing high quality spatial plans @ Oü Head
6 个月Yes, to Accept! Their new album truly sounds great! They are one of the best live bands out there! ??
Experienced Recruiter with detailed experience across the global energy market
6 个月John MacAskill have you listened to Shepherds Reign yet??? A Samoan 5 piece speed metal band from New Zealand. If you like Alien Weaponary, you'll love Shepherds Reign
Non Exec Chair of SENSEWind Ltd and DFM Blades, Portfolio Non Executive Director with BW Ideol
6 个月Thanks John MacAskill! Those of us whose careers started in the 1980’s remember ‘The Goal’ well - it set the scene for so much thinking on production systems. Your observations are bang on!
Green Infra & CleanTech
6 个月Installation vessels ?? and offshore logistical platforms, two investment focus points for Kreen ?
Business Developer | former Chair SPE Aberdeen | Networker | STEM Ambassador | Director at LOGIC | CRM Enthusiast | Fascinated about all things Energy and Engineering | Partial to a Thursday morning Burrito
6 个月Really interesting angle John. The Goal is such a fascinating book, it offers quite complex theories and solutions in an easy to digest manner.