102742Pivoting Deck Vessel prototype constructionClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThe project aim is to build a prototype Pivoting Deck Vessel (PDV) ready for trial by utilities, in which the PDV will demonstrate that it increases offshore wind electricity generating revenues by reducing turbine downtime, thereby decreasing the cost of offshore wind electricity and lowering UK consumer electricity bills. By increasing renewable electricity generation, the amount of fossil fuel generation required reduces, thus also lowering carbon emissions and increasing security of supply. Utilities require vessels to transfer crew and cargo to offshore wind turbines for maintenance, as well as for wind farm construction. The problem is that current vessel designs do not allow for safe and cost-effective access to turbines in rougher seas and so when seas are high, turbine downtime increases, electricity generating revenues are lost and the costs of offshore wind generation rise. The innovative pivoting deck design of North Sea Logistics’ PDV addresses this problem, allowing safe access to turbines in higher seas for crew and cargo. The PDV was a 2011 finalist in the Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator Access competition.