JIP on Standardization & Industrialization

DNV is leading a Joint Industry Project (JIP) focused on investigating the impact of standardization and industrialization strategies on North Sea offshore wind development.

Project web page

Rising to the Challenge

The wind industry has experienced rapid technological advancements over the past 10-15 years, driven by competitive, macro-economic, and regulatory pressures. Wind turbine upscaling has delivered cost reductions through fewer cable connections, reduced installation and maintenance activities, and diminished wake effects. However, as the cost benefits of increasing turbine size begin to plateau, alternative strategies are needed.

The rapid pace of turbine development has prevented sufficient time for products and equipment to industrialize. By exploring standardization and industrialization rather than continual upscaling, the industry can unlock:

• Evolution rather than revolution: Refine existing designs, tools, and methods
• Commitment to standardization: Limit turbine component sizes and masses to allow supply chain industrialization
• Production automation: Increase volumes and enhance quality and reliability
• Improved performance: Better reliability and reduced risk premiums

JIP Phase 1

Starting in September 2025, the JIP’s first phase investigates: “What is the impact on North Sea offshore wind industrialisation and standardization by periodically stabilizing wind turbine capacity and staying within the limits of the current supply chain?”

Key Benefits

1. Quantify benefits of pausing turbine growth to unlock supply chain efficiencies and lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE)
2. Deliver insights for strategic decisions toward industrialization
3. Catalyze a shift toward supply chain alignment and a more resilient offshore wind industry

Supply Chain Constraints

The study considers the following upper limits of current supply chain capacity:

• Maximum Hub Height: 170 m
• Maximum Spudcan to Hook Height: 270 m
• Maximum Rotor and Nacelle Component Lifting Mass: 1,500 mt
• Maximum Monopile Mass and Diameter: 2,500 mt, 11 m
• Maximum Quay Bearing Capacity and Port Channel Depth: 30 mt/m², 12 m

Respecting these constraints while temporarily pausing turbine growth for 5, 10, or 15 years could drive industrialization, enhance installation rates, lower overall costs and rebuild profitability across the supply chain.

Analysis Scope and role of Renewables.Architect

The JIP will conduct numerical analysis to investigate the impact on North Sea average LCoE and installation rates, considering:

• Different wind farm capacities: 500 MW, 750 MW, 1 GW, 1.5 GW, and 2 GW
• Various standardization period lengths
• Environmental impact aspects where feasible

Renewables.Architect is powering the detailed analysis work for this JIP, enabling comprehensive cost impact modeling of supply chain and equipment changes on future wind farm projects. This advanced platform allows us to:

• Model various wind farm configurations, locations and standardization scenarios
• Analyze cost impacts of supply chain constraints and industrialization strategies
• Evaluate total impact across different project scales and timeframes as the network of engineering models in RA captures and combines effects in a systems engineering manner.

JIP Deliverables

The JIP process and results will be captured in documentation for use at different organizational levels—from detailed engineering to board-level discussions. Summary documentation will also be generated for external sharing with broader industry stakeholders.

Industry Participation

DNV has initiated this JIP with a Steering Group representing the full European offshore wind value chain. Current participants include:

• EEW Special Pipe Constructions GmbH
• Fred Olsen Windcarrier ASA
• Groningen Seaports N.V.
• Iemants N.V.
• Jan de Nul N.V.
• Ørsted Wind Power A/S
• Van Oord Offshore Wind B.V.
• Vattenfall Vindkraft A/S
• Vestas Wind Systems A/S

The JIP is coming to the end of its first phase, but interested parties are invited to reach out for future involvement.

Learn More

For more information or to express interest in joining this Joint Industry Project, please contact the Renewables.Architect team at renewables.architect@dnv.com or visit the DNV Joint Industry Projects page.