TP V.4 Impact of wind farms on marine physics and the environment

A sub-project in innovation area V – Marine pressure limits and cumulative ecological impacts

Scenario-based What-IF simulations are used to investigate the cumulative impacts of single and multiple wind farms during installation, operation and decommissioning of wind farms, taking into account future climate change projections and operational options on marine physics and the environment.

TP V.3 Propagation of operational underwater noise

A sub-project in innovation area V – Marine pressure limits and cumulative ecological impacts

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 are carried out near an offshore wind turbine in operation.

TP V.2 Impact of offshore wind energy on the marine environment

A sub-project in innovation area V – Marine pressure limits and cumulative ecological impacts

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.

TP V.1 Hydro- and morphodynamic loads

A sub-project in innovation area V – Marine pressure limits and cumulative ecological impacts

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.