Innovation area V
Marine pressure limits and cumulative ecological impacts
The overarching goal of Innovation Area V is to collect environmental-physical field data that can serve as a reliable basis for assessing the impact of offshore wind energy on the marine environment in order to develop comprehensive strategies in synergy with other research projects that record and reduce the undesirable effects of offshore wind energy on the marine environment.
- Assessment of the effectiveness of targeted mitigation concepts (“nature inclusive design”, analysis of “multi-use” potentials)
- Customized “what-if” scenarios for stakeholders and decision-makers
Subproject V.1
Hydro- and morphodynamic loads
The focus of this subproject is on fluid-structure-soil interaction with marine physics and its relevance for hydro- and morphodynamic load estimations.
In order to ensure the sustainable design and operation of OWPs, a robust assessment and prediction of these interactions and the associated loads on foundation structures is required. Hydrodynamic loads as a result of breaking waves and tidal currents as well as erosion processes in the vicinity of turbines must be taken into account in impact assessments and design approaches.
To this end, measurement campaigns are being developed and current and wave measurements are being carried out in the vicinity of offshore wind turbines.
Researchers
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil.
Torsten Schlurmann
University of Hanover/ForWind
Dr.-Ing. Alexander Schendel
University of Hanover/ForWind
Subproject V.2
Impact of offshore wind energy on the marine environment
The effects of altered spatial current and wave fields on the marine environment and biodiversity are being investigated.
Changes in hydrodynamics, water quality, stratification and sediment transport are considered.
To record these processes, both short-term and long-term as well as event-driven measurement strategies are planned and implemented as part of lake-wide measurement campaigns.
Researchers
Dr. Thomas Badewien
University of Oldenburg
Subproject V.3
Propagation of operational underwater noise
An acoustic model is to be developed that includes all relevant sound sources in the life cycle of a wind farm.
The resulting model will then be coupled with a hydrodynamic model of the North Sea and thus enable precise determination of noise scenarios under external environmental conditions and wind turbine operating conditions. To validate the model, extensive underwater noise measurements will be carried out in the vicinity of an offshore wind turbine in operation.
Researchers
Dr.-Ing. Tanja Grießmann
University of Hanover/ForWind
Subproject V.4
Impact of wind farms on marine physics and the environment
Researchers
Dr. Joanna Staneva
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
