A SWATH MOTHERSHIP CONCEPT FOR THE FAR SHORE WIND FARMS USING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY NETWORK MODEL

The Toyota Production System (TPS) is a continuous improvement philosophy. It became the basis for the LEAN and Six Sigma manufacturing philosophies. A significant element of TPS is autonomation, or “automation with a human touch”. In the same way that lean techniques have been applied to automotive manufacturing, the principles of autonomation can be applied to offshore wind farm maintenance practices to improve turbine availability. This paper presents a mothership concept design to support an autonomation approach to offshore wind farm maintenance practices, developed through an implementation of the NetWork model of Environmental Psychology and biophilic design. The NetWork model encompasses both how and where work is done and how workers, processes and places are supported. It differs from previous Environmental Psychology models by focusing on the work that is to be done and how to enable it to be done most effectively. This knowledge informs the specification of furnishings, technologies, equipment and infrastructure that enable workers to make the best of wherever they work, to develop effective work practices, and to continue to adapt. This contrasts with the more traditional focus, which addresses only the places of work, and their efficient delivery and maintenance. The evolutionary basis for biophilia, is that contact with nature is a basic human need: not a cultural amenity, not an individual preference, but a universal primary need. The biophilia hypothesis and supporting research tells us that, as a species, we are still powerfully responsive to nature’s forms, processes, and patterns. The design process presented is a Transfer of Innovation from interior architecture where it is a well establish approach to produce highly productive and low stress working environments. The potential of this Human Factors focused approach to reduce risk and hence operational costs such as insurance is significant.