On 5 April, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) will present a webinar on a “game-changing” offshore wind site characterisation dataset to be used by potential bidders for the 700 MW Ten noorden van de Waddeneilanden Wind Farm Zone (TNWWFZ). The method used to produce the data will significantly reduce risk for bidders and save approximately one year in the time it takes to develop projects.
The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) and SAND Geophysics produced the site data on behalf of RVO. Cutting edge processing techniques were used to develop a site-wide geological ground model that incorporates the results from geophysical and geotechnical investigations and provides detailed information about the spatial distribution of soil layers relevant for wind farm development.
Most notably, a computer-generated soil profile (synthetic CPTs) based on a specially developed algorithm was used for the pioneering Integrated Ground Model (IGM). The IGM is expected to be the first in the world to have synthetic CPTs certified by DNV for ‘Project certification of wind power plants’.
Frank van Erp, Executive Expert Offshore Wind Energy at RVO, said: “This IGM is believed to be a game-changer for the global wind industry. It significantly reduces preparation time for permit tenders and will redefine the future of geophysical and geotechnical works for wind projects. The IGM presents a full ‘ready-to-cook’ soil characterisation, providing a thorough understanding of conditions in the Wind Farm Zone.”
Using synthetic CPTs in the IGM reduces the need for tender participants to conduct the number of physical CPTs they would normally do themselves. Saving about a year in the investigation phase as a result, the fully certified and high quality IGM will reduce risks (and related costs) by enabling companies to fully assess all locations within the TNNWFZ for potential placement of wind turbines and to optimise wind farm designs and potential bids for the tender.
“We are looking forward to presenting a full overview of the IGM in our webinar. For offshore wind farm developers and those specifically involved in geophysical and geotechnical works, it will highlight further progress in improving quality of data and driving overall efficiency in project design,” said van Erp.
More information:
RVO, part of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, oversees the offshore wind energy programme in the Netherlands. Along with NGI and SAND Geophysics, it will host the TNW Geological Model and Parameters webinar on the new IGM and the geotechnical interpretation report on 5 April 2022.
To participate in the webinar, please register via woz@rvo.nl, stating your name, company, email address, and subject of the webinar of your choice. You will receive a link to the webinar no later than one day before the event.
Full webinar details can be found https://offshorewind.rvo.nl/ while a short movie about the IGM can be found here.
