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How Shoresim works

Shoresim is the simulation software that underpins the Shoreline Design system. Every time you hit Run simulation, it's Shoresim that does the leg work to generate your case outputs.

Out of the interactions within complex systems, new behaviours emerge that are not present within the constituent parts alone. Shoreline captures this emergent principle with agent-based modeling (ABM).

Complex systems such as offshore wind farms, whether in the construction of operations and maintenance phases, are nonlinear systems subject to feedback loops and nonlinear relationships. This means that small changes in initial circumstances can have dramatic downstream effects.

To accurately model a construction or O&M project, you must account for this nonlinearity to gain meaningful insights.

That’s what Shoresim achieves.

Shoresim: An overview​

Shoresim is an advanced scheduling platform leveraging agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS) to optimize construction and maintenance management for wind projects. ABMS allows Shoresim to simulate the behavior and interactions of individual components, such as workers, vessels, weather systems, and equipment, capturing the emergent behaviors of these complex systems.

Key features​

  • Agent-based modeling: Simulates independent components (agents) within the system, allowing for adaptive interactions and dynamic adjustments.
  • Modeling complex adaptive systems: Excels at handling nonlinear, interdependent systems where small changes can lead to significant ripple effects.
  • Scenario simulation: Tests various scenarios to evaluate outcomes under changing conditions.
  • Real-time adaptability: Continuously updates simulations as new data becomes available, providing actionable insights.

Why agent-based simulation?​

Shoresim’s use of ABMS offers a significant advantage for modeling decentralized, dynamic systems. Wind project operations—characterized by complex supply chains, fluctuating weather, and interwoven tasks—are ideal for this approach. By focusing on individual components and their interactions, Shoresim delivers highly accurate, adaptable scheduling solutions.

Real-world examples of Shoresim’s ABMS in action​

1. Optimizing offshore wind turbine installation​

Scenario: A wind farm operator needed to install 50 offshore turbines within a tight schedule, facing challenges from weather unpredictability, limited vessel availability, and complex logistics. How Shoresim Helped: Using ABMS, Shoresim modeled the entire system, including vessels, cranes, crews, and weather patterns. The simulation provided insights into optimal sequencing for installation tasks, minimizing downtime and maximizing vessel utilization. Outcome: The project was completed 15% faster than the original timeline, with a 20% reduction in overall installation costs.

2. Maintenance scheduling for an operational wind farm​

Scenario: A large offshore wind farm required scheduled maintenance for its turbines, but the operator faced logistical challenges due to seasonal weather constraints and limited resources. How Shoresim Helped: Shoresim’s ABMS modeled turbine-specific maintenance needs, incorporating agent behavior for crews, vessels, and weather systems. Predictive scenarios enabled proactive adjustments to the maintenance schedule. Outcome: The wind farm achieved a 25% reduction in downtime for serviced turbines and a 15% improvement in resource utilization efficiency.

3. Responding to adverse weather events during construction​

Scenario: Midway through the construction of an onshore wind project, unexpected severe weather events threatened to delay the project. How Shoresim Helped: Shoresim simulated weather impacts on different construction phases, dynamically updating task prioritization and resource deployment. Alternative schedules were proposed to mitigate delays. Outcome: The project avoided significant delays, recovering nearly 80% of the time lost due to weather disruptions.

4. Vessel fleet optimization for maintenance campaigns​

Scenario: An operator managing a cluster of offshore wind farms struggled to optimize its fleet of maintenance vessels across multiple projects. How Shoresim Helped: Shoresim’s ABMS modeled vessel capacities, turbine locations, and weather forecasts to optimize fleet deployment, balancing turbine servicing priorities with fuel costs and vessel availability. Outcome: Fleet operating costs were reduced by 18%, while maintenance coverage across turbines increased by 12%.

Emerging Insights from Shoresim​

These examples highlight Shoresim’s ability to adapt to real-world complexities, from unpredictable weather to resource constraints. By simulating and managing nonlinear, interdependent systems, Shoresim equips operators with tools to mitigate risks, enhance efficiency, and maximize return on investment.

Technical description of agent-based modeling​

What is agent-based modeling?​

Agent-based modeling (ABM) is a computational modeling approach used to simulate the actions and interactions of individual entities (agents) within a system. These agents operate based on predefined rules and can represent diverse components such as people, vehicles, machinery, or even natural phenomena like weather systems. By observing how these agents interact over time, ABMs provide insights into the emergent behavior of the entire system.

Core components of ABM​

  1. Agents:
  • Definition: Autonomous entities with unique characteristics and behaviors.
  • Attributes: Each agent has attributes (e.g., capacity, location, status) and can make decisions based on its environment and other agents.
  • Examples in Shoresim:
    • A maintenance vessel with attributes like fuel capacity, speed, and crew availability.
    • A turbine requiring specific repair tasks with weather constraints.
  1. Environment:
  • Definition: The virtual space in which agents operate. This could be spatial (e.g., a map of a wind farm) or abstract (e.g., a network of tasks and dependencies).
  • Role: Defines the external conditions affecting agents, such as weather, terrain, or resource availability.
  1. Rules and Behaviors:
  • Definition: The logic that governs how agents behave and interact.
  • Dynamic Adaptation: Agents adapt based on their interactions with other agents and their environment. For instance, a maintenance crew might reschedule tasks if adverse weather arises.
  1. Interaction Mechanisms:
  • Direct Interactions: Agents communicate or directly influence each other (e.g., coordinating schedules between vessels).
  • Indirect Interactions: Agents respond to shared environmental changes (e.g., vessels rerouting due to a storm).
  1. Emergence:
  • Definition: Complex system behaviors that arise from the interactions of agents, not explicitly programmed into individual agents.
  • Example: Efficient resource allocation across a wind farm emerges from agent behaviors like vessels prioritizing turbines based on proximity and urgency.

How ABMs Work​

  1. Initialization:
  • Define the agents, their attributes, and the environment.
  • Specify the rules governing agent behavior and interactions.
  1. Simulation:
  • The model runs through a series of time steps, simulating agent actions and interactions.
  • At each step, agents evaluate their state and surroundings, make decisions, and take actions.
  1. Output Analysis:
  • Collect data on agent actions, interactions, and system-wide outcomes.
  • Identify patterns, bottlenecks, or inefficiencies within the system.
  1. Scenario Testing:
  • Modify conditions or agent behaviors to evaluate how the system responds.
  • Example: Simulating different weather scenarios to test the robustness of maintenance schedules.

Advantages of ABMs for Wind Project Management​

  • Scalability: Can model large, complex systems with thousands of interacting agents.
  • Adaptability: Easily accommodates changes in system dynamics, such as shifting weather patterns or equipment availability.
  • Nonlinear Systems: Ideal for handling systems with feedback loops and non-linear relationships.
  • Realism: Provides realistic, granular simulations of how resources, personnel, and external factors interact in a wind project setting.

Technical Implementation in Shoresim​

Shoresim defines agents such as turbines, vessels, crews, and weather systems, each with tailored attributes and decision-making rules. The platform employs computational algorithms to manage and simulate (scheduling) the interactions among agents. By integrating data inputs, such as weather forecasts and hindcasts and resource availability, Shoresim ensures dynamic and adaptive simulation capabilities. Users can experiment with different configurations to identify optimal solutions, enhancing efficiency and risk mitigation.