Offshore Windpark Exploration and Surveying – Innovations and Trends

Innovationen und Trends in der Offshore Windpark Erkundung und Vermessung

Company / Unternehmen: Fi. Geo-Engineering, MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences and Faculty of Geosciences University Bremen
Speaker / Referent: Tobias Mörz
Position: Geschäftsführer der Fi. Geo-Engineering, Professor for Marine Engineering Geology am MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences and Faculty of Geosciences University Bremen

Abstract:
Offshore wind farm planning heavily relies on a reliable data base. A sea chart map alone is in-sufficient to retrieve either the water depth in the required resolution nor in most cases the exact location and depth of existing older offshore infrastructure like pipe lines and buried cables. Sea charts or even surface sediment maps are also not the base for geotechnical pre-planning of the layout of wind energy plant sites. A brief general review and update of the state of the art of survey technology and its use in wind farm planning introduces the audience to most of common geophysical methods in use. Selected examples are given on how 3D survey information can aid in the layout set up and foundation pre selection to safe cost and effort in the future path of administrative approval. The second half of the presentation will focus on advanced new methods and concepts in wind farm and structure surveys. One example will be how the combination of reflexion seismics and magnetics aids in early sub bottom material characterisation. A second will present a conceptual model on how to approach the issue of unexploded ordnance. Another will focus on exiting new survey technology and its limits in 3D surveying of underwater and aerial structures using a data example recently acquired. Here a focus is given in how to merge data sets and also what special resolutions can be achieved. From the field of offshore geotechnics the latest developments from the Bremen offshore seabed robotic CPT/plate bearing testing unit will be presented including some exiting deepwater work done in Norway this year. The overall take home message is: A good quality unbiased look at what’s out there is the key to cost efficient planning with the avoidance of setbacks and costly redesigns.