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 IV.5 Design and control of offshore wind farm clusters

A sub-project in Innovation Area IV – System-oriented integration and aerodynamics of offshore wind turbines and wind farms

In order to integrate the offshore wind farms connected via high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission into the electricity grid, they will have to take over the provision of system services for the onshore transmission grid in future.

Furthermore, it is expected that grid-forming converters will also be used in OWPs in the future, which will fundamentally change the feed-in behavior determined by the control system and thus also the provision of system services by the wind farms, or in some cases make this possible in the first place.

Controls are therefore being developed for the provision of active power, in particular for frequency control with grid-supporting or grid-forming converters to ensure grid stability by adjusting the mechanical output and simultaneously reducing the mechanical load on the individual wind turbines to improve maintenance and extend their service life. HVDC must enable these services for the onshore transmission grid.

TP IV.4 Coherent flow structures in wind farms

A sub-project in Innovation Area IV – System-oriented integration and aerodynamics of offshore wind turbines and wind farms

The flow conditions, loads and power output of a wind farm are influenced, among other things, by coherent structures in the inflow.

A better understanding of how these structures interact with the turbines is necessary in order to make future wind farms more efficient and durable.

The aim of this sub-project is to investigate how coherent flow structures move through a wind farm.

TP IV.3 Flow conditions of future wind turbines

A sub-project in Innovation Area IV – System-oriented integration and aerodynamics of offshore wind turbines and wind farms

Offshore wind turbines are getting higher and higher and will soon reach completely different atmospheric wind conditions.

How these laminar-turbulent winds instead of the known turbulent winds affect turbine performance and loads as well as the wake is virtually unknown.

The aim is to record the complex flow dynamics, create initial forecasts for power, loads and, in particular, overruns, and finally check them.

TP IV.2 Reconstruction of the dynamics of offshore wind farm clusters

A sub-project in Innovation Area IV – System-oriented integration and aerodynamics of offshore wind turbines and wind farms

Fluctuations in the wind flow, especially wind ramps, hinder the system-friendly operation of wind farms and electricity trading. Observer-based forecasts in the minute range can support their prediction.

High-resolution lidar wind measurements enable research into the prediction of local wind dynamics on shorter, high-frequency time scales. In this way, lag-induced yield losses and loads could be reduced and system services provided more precisely.

TP IV.1 Offshore measurement campaigns in wind farm clusters

A sub-project in Innovation Area IV – System-oriented integration and aerodynamics of offshore wind turbines and wind farms

Two meteorological measurement campaigns and the high-resolution wind farm operating data (SCADA) form the basis for the other sub-projects as well as support for structural health monitoring in IB III and oceanographic measurements in IB V.

The measurements are carried out on the basis of the measurement specification drawn up with the stakeholders.

TP II.5 Mapping uncertainties in climate modeling

Sub-project in Innovation Area II – Sustainable maritime spatial planning and use of the German Bight

The draft of sustainable maritime spatial planning for the German Bight should also take into account uncertainties arising from the further development of the climate for wind resources in the German Bight.

As part of the project, a method is to be developed with which the corresponding uncertainties can be derived.

TP II.4 Dynamic models for wind resource assessment

Sub-project in Innovation Area II – Sustainable maritime spatial planning and use of the German Bight

Studies on sustainable spatial and land use planning require accurate information on wind resources from mesoscale simulations.

A more precise modeling of coastal processes and the first analysis of operating strategies of offshore wind farms and co-utilization concepts on the mesoscale are missing.

The issues and model requirements are identified together with the stakeholders.

Subproject I.2 Designing the necessary participation processes

Sub-project in Innovation Area I – Social and economic issues relating to the expansion of offshore wind energy

The sub-project aims at early communication and participation of relevant stakeholder groups in order to clarify preferences, identify conflicts and develop solutions. This is intended to promote social support and acceptance in society and enable the collaborative development of innovative solutions and transformative strategies for the energy transition.

Another research objective is to identify factors that promote and hinder offshore wind energy expansion.