Development Of Offshore Wind Farms Research Articles

Unveiling Future Offshore Wind Potential: A Multi-Criteria Framework for Sustainable Development

Climate change poses a critical threat to the environment and human societies, prompting a shift towards clean energy sources. Among these sources, offshore wind energy emerged as a promising alternative, due to its consistent and strong wind resource availability, coupled with matured technology. However, offshore wind energy being susceptible to the climate change, the efficiency, reliability, and financial viability of the offshore wind farms is location specific. Therefore, the present study introduces a novel framework for identifying suitable regions for offshore wind farm development by considering future projections under the various Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios. A weighted multi-model ensemble (MMEwt) created using nine Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) climate models was considered for the analysis. The suitability of a location is evaluated considering richness, stability of the resource, risk, and economic factors. CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) multi-criteria technique is used to evaluate the prominence of each factor Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique is used to determine the suitability of each grid within the study area and their hierarchy. Findings of this study showed that the north-western and southern regions within the study area are relatively plausible compared to other regions. The proposed methodology built on the theoretical framework of multi-criteria techniques can be extended to other regions and determine the suitability map of plausible wind regions over the specified area for future time periods.

Dual-layer optimization planning for offshore wind farms considering power system security

The vigorous development of offshore wind farms (OWFs) has further promoted the utilization of wind energy. Owing to the demand for low-carbon environmental protection, the increase in the scale of OWF constructions has also had a significant impact on the power system, which cannot be ignored. Specifically, the uncertainty and volatility of wind-power generation should be considered in power system optimization planning schemes. Therefore, this study proposes a probabilistic power-flow analysis index construction method that employs the static-security region theory to optimize the OWFs–grid-connection topology, including the number, location, and capacity of the public connection points connected to the onshore power grid. This method can be used to calculate the probability indicators of power grid insecurity for OWFs–grid-connected systems with different network topologies. Furthermore, a dual-layer multi-objective programming model that considers the economics and stability for integrated planning of electrical collector and multiterminal direct current transmission systems is established. The proposed model comprises two inner-layer models and one outer-layer model. The inner-layer models are used to construct the collection and transmission topologies of the OWFs–grid-connected system that minimize the probability of grid insecurity and the planning cost of the outer-layer model. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed OWFs planning model was verified using an improved IEEE 24-bus system that can be used for topology planning of electrical collector and transmission systems while ensuring grid stability.

On the Durability Performance of Two Adhesives to Be Used in Bonded Secondary Structures for Offshore Wind Installations.

The development of offshore wind farms requires robust bonding solutions that can withstand harsh marine conditions for the easy integration of secondary structures. This paper investigates the durability performance of two adhesives: Sikadur 30 epoxy resin and Loctite UK 1351 B25 urethane-based adhesive for use in offshore wind environments. Tensile tests on adhesive samples and accelerated aging tests were carried out under a variety of temperatures and environmental conditions, including both dry and wet conditions. The long-term effects of aging on adhesive integrity are investigated by simulating the operational life of offshore installations. The evolution of mechanical properties, studied under accelerated aging conditions, provides an important indication of the longevity of structures under normal conditions. The results show significant differences in performance between the two adhesives, highlighting their suitability for specific operating parameters. It should also be noted that for both adhesives, their exposure to different environments (seawater, distilled water, humid climate) over a prolonged period showed that (i) Loctite adhesive has a slightly faster initial uptake than Sikadur adhesive, but the latter reaches an asymptotic plateau with a lower maximum absorption rate than Loctite adhesive; and (ii) a progressive deterioration in the tensile properties occurred following an exponential function. Therefore, aging behavior results showed a clear correlation with the Arrhenius law, providing a predictive tool for the aging process and the aging process of the two adhesives followed Arrhenius kinetics. Ultimately, the knowledge gained from this study is intended to inform best practice in the use of adhesives, thereby improving the reliability and sustainability of the offshore renewable energy infrastructure.

Acceptance of offshore wind farm in Southwest Sardinia in Italy. Do regional energy policies matter?

Purpose The social acceptance of wind energy is increasingly conditioning the Italian Government and regions to authorize the construction of these plants. The proposal of offshore wind farm in the south-west of Sardinia has raised many perplexities both from the marine environmental point of view and from concern about increasing the electricity production in a region that already exports electricity to the peninsula. The purpose of this study is to evaluate what are the factors that most affect the coastal residents’ acceptability of an offshore wind farm. Design/methodology/approach The data is based on a Sardinia-wide in-person survey with about 512 participants in the period between May and June 2023. Respondents were selected randomly from five different locations in Carloforte region. Multiple regression analysis investigates the factors that influenced acceptability to construction and development of offshore wind power plant. Four independent variables were selected in the regression models such as (i) interest towards wind energy, (ii) attitude towards renewable energy production, (iii) perceived regional energy policy and (iv) attitude towards offshore wind farm. The dependent variables are the rates of coastal local residents’ acceptance of offshore wind farm for respondents in five coastal towns. Findings Fishermen and summer tourism operators’ respondents expressed significant reluctance to accept the new project because they perceive a strong risk of environmental impact on both tuna fishing and marine recreational activities in the vicinity. The distance between the turbines at sea and local residents along the coast and surrounding small islands does not have an influence to accept wind energy. The energy policy of the Region of Sardinia, which is perceived by respondents as an expansive energy policy in the production of electricity that exceeds their needs, not being accompanied by a scenario of reducing that from fossil fuels, is the variable that led about 70% of respondents to express a negative opinion towards this project. Research limitations/implications A potential problem associated with the survey is that local response produced sample selection bias. The proportion of respondents with secondary education and no school certificate is quite high. It is possible that respondents who provided valid questionnaires were more low-educated and therefore, the sample may be biased towards lower-educated people. While this does not invalidate the results of this study, it is important to note that the sample was on average less educated than the overall population in Italy. In addition, people with lower incomes were more likely to complete the questionnaires; the results are more representative of a portion of the population with incomes below the national average. Practical implications Results showed how coastal communities are in favour of wind energy within their island, but not within a marine protected area that is considered unique for its beauty and marine ecosystem. Wind energy developers should, before submitting a proposal for an offshore wind farm project, consider among other things the long approval time and understand the activities carried out by local communities and their attachment to those places. Politicians and developers should develop a coherent energy transition policy based on a long-term vision of zero emissions, because according to the findings of this study, it was the regional energy policy that is the most controversial reason for residents to reject the project. Originality/value The contribution of this study is to fill a part of the research gap linking to ongoing energy transitions. In particular, this study analysed for the first time in Italy the acceptability level of an offshore renewable energy project considering the environmental implications and risks in the fragile marine ecosystem of Carloforte waters. This study also made it possible to analyse the impact of the regional energy policy on the acceptability of residents towards the development of offshore wind farms, which is scarcely discussed in the literature.

Sailing through end-of-life challenges: A comprehensive review for offshore wind

Over the past thirty years, European offshore wind farm development surged, yet end-of-life and decommissioning considerations were overshadowed by initial climate and energy security objectives during design and construction. As the first major projects near their final decade, numerous unanswered questions persist. Through a comprehensive literature review, this study identifies, maps, and evaluates challenges across technical, economic, environmental, social, and policy dimensions spanning five end-of-life phases: planning, dismantling, transport and logistics, waste management, and site recovery. Examining 42 publications reveals 46 distinct challenges affecting stakeholders such as the end-of-life supply chain, policy makers, and society. While 33 % of the challenges manifested in the technical dimension, 48 % of the challenges covered the planning phase. Notably, the economic challenge of vessel cost and availability was raised most often. Less-explored challenges underscore the importance of consideration before the end-of-life phase intensifies. The study illustrates the complex interconnection of numerous end-of-life challenges across phases, dimensions, and disciplines, emphasizing the imperative of addressing bottlenecks in a comprehensive and integrated manner. The results of this study help steering future research, while also improving awareness of challenges for stakeholders, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts between governmental bodies and industry stakeholders to address imminent challenges through transparent guidelines, data exchange, and circular design principles. The novelty of this study lies in its holistic, multidisciplinary approach, systematic framework for identifying challenges, and critical perspective unveiling interconnectedness.

Energy Islands in Greece: Are they Feasible in Aegean Sea?

The future development of energy islands in North Sea is going to assist the further growth of offshore wind farms in a territory characterized by rich wind energy resources. The development of offshore wind farms in Aegean Sea, which is characterized by high mean annual wind velocities, is in the initial phase while it is foreseen that by 2050 the electricity generated by offshore wind farms will have a high share in the energy mix in Greece. The future interconnection of the electric grids of the small islands in Aegean Sea with the grid of continental Greece is going to trigger the development of new renewable energy installations in these islands reducing the current use of oil-based fuels in them. The development of offshore wind farms in Aegean Sea could be combined with green hydrogen production, when it is profitable, while it could be also used in the future for electricity generation from sea waves. The future development of physical energy islands in the Archipelago combined with the development of offshore wind farms and the interconnection of the small islands' grids could promote the further development of the rich solar and wind energy resources in Aegean Sea assisting the de-carbonization of the Greek power system. The current work could be useful to policy makers, to local and regional authorities as well as to energy companies which are willing to invest in renewable energy systems in Aegean Sea.

Geese migrating over the Pacific Ocean select altitudes coinciding with offshore wind turbine blades

Abstract Renewable energy facilities are a key part of mitigating climate change, but can pose threats to wild birds and bats, most often through collisions with infrastructure. Understanding collision risk and the factors affecting it can help minimize impacts on wild populations. For wind turbines, flight altitude is a major factor influencing collision risk, and altitude‐selection analyses can evaluate when and why animals fly at certain altitudes under certain conditions. We used GPS tags to track Pacific Flyway geese (Pacific greater white‐fronted goose, tule greater white‐fronted goose and lesser snow goose) on transoceanic migrations between Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the contiguous United States, an area where offshore windfarm development is beginning. We evaluated how geographic and environmental covariates affected (1) whether birds were at rest on the water versus in flight (binomial model) and (2) altitude selection when in flight (similar to a step‐selection framework). We then used a Monte Carlo simulation to predict the probability of flying at each altitude under various conditions, considering both the fly/rest decision and altitude selection. In both spring and fall, geese showed strong selection for altitudes within the expected rotor‐swept zone (20–200 m asl), with 56% of locations expected to be within the rotor‐swept zone under mean daylight conditions and 28% at night. This indicates a high possibility that migrating geese may be at risk of collision when passing through windfarms. Although there was some variation across subspecies, geese were most likely to be within the rotor‐swept zone with little wind or light tailwinds, low clouds, little to no precipitation and moderate to cool air temperatures. Geese were unlikely to be in the rotor‐swept zone at night, when most individuals were at rest on the water. Synthesis and applications. These results could be used to inform windfarm management, including decisions to shut down turbines when collision risk is high. The altitude‐selection framework we demonstrate could facilitate further study of other bird species to develop a holistic view of how windfarms in this area could affect the migratory bird community as a whole.

Metocean conditions at two Norwegian sites for development of offshore wind farms

This paper examines metocean data from NORA3, a state-of-the-art wind and wave hindcast dataset for Northern Europe. Two offshore Norwegian areas, Utsira Nord (UN) and Sørlige Nordsjø II (SN2), are investigated. Both areas offer significant potential for the offshore wind sector. UN is situated in deep-sea water, suitable for floating offshore wind turbines. In contrast, SN2 lies in intermediate waters and ranks among the North Sea’s most promising regions allocated for offshore wind. Data from NORA3, originally on a 3-km resolution grid, are resampled into unstructured grids spanning from 1982 to 2022. This refined dataset offers a climatology time scale with superior spatial and temporal resolution compared to most other hindcast and reanalysis databases. The study examines mean wind speed and direction across seven levels, ranging from 10 m to 750 m above the surface. Analyses of extreme wind and wave conditions have been conducted. Results reveal that UN experiences higher extreme wave heights than SN2 while the extreme wind speeds may be substantially larger at SN2 than UN. Moreover, this study establishes joint distribution models that encompass several parameters, including mean wind speed, significant wave height, wave spectral peak period, and direction difference between wind and waves. Thus, this metocean data is valuable for designing and analyzing floating wind farms over their lifecycles.

Prospective modelling of operational offshore wind farms on the distribution of marine megafauna in the southern North Sea

Intense development of Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) has occurred in the North Sea with several more farms planned for the near future. These OWFs pose a threat to marine megafauna stressing the need to mitigate the impact of human activities. To help mitigate impacts, the Before After Gradient (BAG) design was proposed. We explored the use of the BAG method on megafauna sightings recorded at different distances from OWFs in the southern North Sea. We predicted intra-annual variability in species distribution, then correlated species distribution with the presence of operational OWFs and investigated the potential impact the operation of prospective OWFs may have on species distribution. Four patterns of intra-annual variability were predicted: species most abundant in spring, in winter, in both spring and winter, or all year round. We recommend that future OWF constructions be planned in summer and early fall to minimise impact on cetaceans and that offshore areas off northern France and Belgium be avoided to minimise impact on seabirds. Our prospective analysis predicted a decreased density for most species with the operation of prospective OWFs. Prospective approaches, using e.g. a BAG design, are paramount to inform species conservation as they can forecast the likely responses of megafauna to anthropogenic disturbances.

The Probability of Ship Collision during the Fully Submerged Towing Process of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

As global warming intensifies, the development of offshore wind farms is swiftly progressing, especially deep-water Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) capable of energy capture in deep-sea regions, which have emerged as a focal point of both academic and industrial interest. Although numerous researchers have conducted comprehensive and multifaceted studies on various components of wind turbines, less attention has been paid to the operational stage responses of FOWTs to wind, waves, and currents and the reliability of their structural components. This study primarily employs a theoretical analysis to establish mathematical models under a series of reasonable assumptions, examining the possibility of collisions between FOWT transport fleets and other vessels in the passage area during the towing process. Using the model, this paper takes the Wanning Floating Offshore Wind Farm (FOWF) project, which is scheduled to be deployed in the South China Sea, as its research object and calculates the probability of collisions between FOWTs and other vessels in three months from the pier near Wanning, Hainan, to a predetermined position 22 km away. The findings of the analysis indicate that the mathematical model developed in this study integrates the quantities and velocities of navigational vessels within the target maritime area as well as the speeds, routes, and schedules of the FOWT transport fleet. By employing statistical techniques and geometric calculations, the model can determine the frequency of collisions between various types of vessels and the FOWT transport fleet during the transportation period. This has substantial relevance for future risk assessments and disaster prevention and mitigation measures in the context of FOWT transportation.

Using fisheries-dependent data to investigate landings of European lobster (Homarus gammarus) within an offshore wind farm

Abstract The need for alternative strategies to assist in the monitoring and sustainable management of fisheries’ resources is becoming increasingly important. In recent years, greater utilization of fishers’ knowledge has been advocated as a potentially valuable source of data that could be applied to fisheries management issues. In the current study, we addressed this by investigating the landing per unit effort (LPUE) of European lobster (Homarus gammarus) from within an offshore wind farm using a fisheries-dependent commercial fishing logbook. The logbook was provided by a single fisherman who targeted lobsters within the wind farm between 2015 and 2022 using single pots deployed in association with individual wind turbines. Generalized linear mixed modeling was used to investigate changes in LPUE over temporal scales and as the result of the presence of scour protection at turbine locations. LPUE was found to be significantly higher at turbine locations where scour protection was present compared to those turbines where it was not. Predictions from modeling suggested LPUE was nearly 1.5× greater at turbines where scour protection was present. Significant differences in mean monthly and yearly LPUE were detected with this variation likely to reflect seasonal changes in lobster activity and the effect of introducing fishing into a previously unfished area. This work highlights the potential for fishing logbooks to be applied in fisheries management. Our results also demonstrate potential fishing opportunities arising from the development of offshore wind farms and the potential for these opportunities to be enhanced.

Making knowledge matter: Understanding and improving knowledge-integration in Dutch marine spatial planning policy

Lacking knowledge concerning the North-Sea's socio-ecological system causes the rapid increase of Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) development to occur under serious uncertainty. Optimising OWF development while minimizing negative effects on the socio-ecological system of the North-Sea thus requires holistic knowledge and its appropriate use in policy. Together with the pressure for OWF development, the subsequently rapid development of an array of scientific knowledge results in a dynamic and multidisciplinary knowledge situation, challenging the integration of knowledge, particularly between research and policy. To ensure policy is based on the latest holistic understanding, knowledge requires integration in strategic Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) policy. While the need for better knowledge processes is widely mentioned as a challenge for MSP, knowledge-integration in MSP remains understudied. This paper responds by studying the role of OWF-related knowledge in MSP while formulating a framework of conditions for knowledge-integration between research and policy in MSP policy and OWF development. These conditions are formulated based on knowledge management and MSP literature and subsequently applied in semi-structured interviews, document research, consortium observations, and focus groups. The case study used for acquiring data is knowledge-integration in Dutch MSP and OWF development. The Dutch maritime area is intensively used and faces important tensions over space due to conflicting stakeholder interests. In addition, while being an early adopter of MSP, the Netherlands also faces serious challenges due to high political pressure promoting Offshore Wind Farm development and a related need for maritime knowledge production. Together with the array of knowledge programs aiming to inform Dutch MSP, this provides a useful case to analyse knowledge-integration in MSP.The framework developed in this paper includes conditions for knowledge-integration ranging from the acceptance of differences between researchers and policymakers, to the need to employ interface managers who can develop a structural and effective knowledge-integration process. Fundamental differences between researchers and policymakers, such as differing timeframes, and differing views on uncertainty were found to form significant risks for knowledge-integration, as such influencing conditions. Additionally, the dynamic, long-term, area specific, and multidisciplinary context of MSP and OWF development was found to significantly influence the knowledge-integration process, underlining the importance of context for knowledge processes.

Co-location of fisheries and offshore wind farms: Current practices and enabling conditions in the North Sea

Current expansion in offshore wind farm (OWF) development is resulting in increased spatial conflicts with other uses. In the North Sea, marine spatial planning (MSP) processes include co-existence strategies, with co-location between fisheries and offshore wind farms often discussed. However, current legal regulations and the lack of adequate scientific evidence to document economic viability of proposed passive gears, coupled with uncertainties regarding the implementation approach, continue to limit progress in developing co-location solutions. We synthesized current regulations and practices relevant to offshore wind farms and fisheries and conducted spatial-temporal overlap analysis of pot and trap fisheries targeting crustaceans in offshore wind farms to understand their potential for co-location. Our results showed the largest potential for co-location of pot and trap fisheries targeting crustaceans is located in OWFs that already exist or will be constructed until 2030. We also identified 1) gaps in fisheries and (OWF) regulations and 2) sector challenges that hindered the successful implementation of fisheries and offshore wind farm co-location. We discuss and recommend enabling conditions, including more science-based evidence on socio-economic and ecological viability of passive fisheries in offshore areas. Experiments on pot and trap gear safety and spillover evidence of artificial reef effects (AREs) are needed to inform the implementation of new safety distances and economically beneficial passive fisheries. Finally, we highlight needs for new insurance regimes and straightforward funding provision to support transitions to co-location and absorb the shocks from mobile fisheries displacement.

Downscaling CMIP6 climate projections to classify the future offshore wind energy resource in the Spanish territorial waters

The Spanish government has established a Maritime Spatial Planning including areas for wind farms, with the aim of contributing up to 40% of European floating offshore wind power by 2030. Thus, it is crucial to assess the current and future offshore wind energy resource in these areas, and classify the near future resource by considering wind power density and other relevant factors like resource stability, environmental risks, and installation costs. To attain the necessary high spatial resolution, a dynamic downscaling of a multi-model ensemble from the 6th phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project was conducted using the Weather Research and Forecasting model in Spanish territorial waters, including the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands, and Canary Islands. Future projections were considered under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 2–4.5 and 5–8.5 scenarios. According to the results, Spain's offshore wind energy potential is projected to grow in the upcoming years, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding the Canary Islands. Wind resource classification in the potential offshore wind farm areas reveals noteworthy diversity, with ratings ranging from “fair” (3/7) to “outstanding” (6/7). The most promising areas for offshore wind farm development in the near future are located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands.

Detailed mapping of technical capacities and economics potential of offshore wind energy: A case study in South-eastern Australia

Australia has significant offshore wind resources that can support ever-increasing power demand and hence provide a long-term contribution to the net-zero target by 2050. Although some offshore wind farm projects are proposed in Australia, the industry is not mature enough to justify the benefits and display economic opportunities. More specifically, the techno-economic analysis of offshore wind energy has not been systematically mapped in Australia. Therefore, the investigation of the spatial variation of technical feasibility and economic potential of offshore wind is vital to identify the potential regions and to develop strategies for future offshore wind farm developments in Australia. This paper presents detailed mappings of the techno-economic potential of offshore wind energy in Victoria-Tasmania’s exclusive economic zone. Offshore wind energy resources are assessed in the paper in terms of energy availability and variability and the feasibility of various offshore wind technologies is investigated, including turbines, foundation types and transmission topologies. In addition, the high-fidelity life-cycle cost models and two innovative evaluation matrices are developed to assess the economic potential of offshore energy farms in South-eastern Australia. The impact of local power system regulation costs and future carbon prices on the viability of offshore wind is also investigated in this paper. It is concluded that the detailed mapping approach and analysis in the paper can provide a systematic tool for industry partners, investors and policymakers at the pre-planning stage of developing offshore renewable energy systems.

Silent piling for offshore jacket foundations in sand: DEM and centrifuge modelling

The race to decarbonise the economy has led to an exponential growth of offshore wind farm developments across the globe. While monopiles are the dominating installed foundations, jacket structures are expected to be more and more common, as wind farms extend to deeper waters [1] and innovative technologies are required to alleviate some important challenges. Firstly, straight shafted piles are not particularly efficient to sustain large tensile demand induced by the push-pull axial loading of the foundations. Secondly, stricter regulations on underwater noise make mitigation methods for pile driving more expensive and silent piling techniques could be used as an alternative [2]. Figure 1(a) describes a new screw pile foundation that meets those two challenges [3]. The foundation is installed by rotary jacking, which avoids any impact related noise. The pile is composed of a large upper shaft, that is designed to resist the lateral load applied by the jacket structure, and a smaller lower shaft which reduces the torque demand during installation. A helix is attached close to the pile tip, to provide an enhanced axial resistance and facilitates the installation of the pile [4]. The main challenge during the pile installation is the very low reaction force that may be available offshore at the pile head, which consists only of the pile self-weight and the installation tool. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that screw piles can be installed for offshore applications by rotary jacking at low reaction force, via (geotechnical centrifuge, [2]) and numerical (DEM, [5]) modelling.
 Figure 1(b) compares the vertical installation force measured in the centrifuge with a DEM simulation, as a function of the advancement ratio (AR), defined as the vertical displacement of the pile during one rotation normalised by the helix pitch. Figure 1(b) shows that at constant installation rate (fixed AR), the lower ARs lead to a tensile force measured at the pile head, i.e. the pile pulls on the installation actuator. The DEM simulation of is in good agreement with the centrifuge result at the same AR and shows that the vertical force trend reverts to a compressive value once the upper part of the shaft enters the ground.
 Figure 1(c) shows the vertical force associated with each pile component during the DEM simulation (AR = 0.5). The greatest penetration resistance (lowest negative value) is the transition piece, reaching -4MN, when the pile tip reaches a depth of 25m. The shaft penetration resistance is small and probably reduced by the rotary movement that changes the inclination of the shear stress along the shaft, as explained in previous publications [6]. The base and helix contributions are largely positive (in tension), as described in Figure 1(c). Consequently, the tension (“thrust”) created by the helix compensates the penetration resistance of the rest of the pile and enables its penetration with a very low reaction force applied at the pile head.
 The effect of the AR on the helix behaviour was previously explained as follows [7, 8]. Helix overflighting (AR< 1) forces a displacement of the sand particles upwards. This forced displacement is opposed by the existing soil, which acts as a non-linear spring, which is progressively compressed. The soil above the helix is then compressed, as depicted in Figure 1(d), which represents the vertical stress in the sand bed and around the pile. Another effect of the pile overflighting is the considerable reduction of the vertical stress under the helix, which facilitates the pile penetration. On the contrary, a large compressive stress under the transition piece is at the origin of its large penetration resistance and its geometry may need to be further optimised.
 In the field, where the pile head condition is a constant reaction force, the AR will simply vary such that the thurst provided by the helix will compensate the pile penetration resistance. Results shown in Figure 1(b) prove that there exists a set of AR between 0.10 and 1.00 such that the necessary force is equal to zero at any depth, thus ensuring the fasibility of its installation at low reaction force, providing a torque of 23MNm can be applied.
 The physical and numerical modelling of a new type of pile have shown that it is a viable option to support jacket structures, as it can be installed without driving and with a very limited reaction force. The DEM simulations have revealed the underlying mechanisms explaining the centrifuge results, while centrifuge results were used to validate the DEM simulations. This project showed that the combination of the two techniques is very powerful to speed up technology development.

Renewable energy and the promise of jobs, regional regeneration and first nations opportunities

ABSTRACT Carbon-exposed regions tied to the fossil-fuel industry have uncertain futures. The promise of regional regeneration and job stimulus through a transition to renewable energy has been presented by governments, environmental organisations and some unions as a viable solution to their dilemmas. In this paper, we critically evaluate the job generation and local development possibilities from two high profile renewable energy initiatives – offshore wind farms and hydrogen hubs. Our starting point is that the debate to date has tended to be very narrowly focused on ‘employment estimates for renewable versus fossil fuel industries’ without consideration of where these jobs will be located and the nature of these jobs. Adopting a case study method, we consider the development of offshore wind farms and hydrogen hubs in Australia and their location within global value chains (GVCs) and the temporal and spatial dimensions of work required for developing, operating and maintaining these emerging industries. We demonstrate how the low labour intensity of ongoing work in offshore wind and hydrogen hubs means that new jobs created are mostly in short bursts of temporary labour in project construction.

Review of PAM studies in the Coastal Waters West of Taiwan during 2013–2022

Taiwan is making efforts to transform its energy system in response to the global trend of climate change, vigorously developing renewable energy to achieve the goal of “Net Zero” emissions by 2050. However, the development of offshore wind farms may have an impact on the ecological environment of the vast western waters. The coastal waters are heavily used for human activities, and the adjacent protected reefs and estuary areas have abundant biodiversity, which may be greatly affected and require priority investigation. In recent years, passive underwater acoustic monitoring has been widely used. In addition to sound levels, it is also used for biodiversity surveys and ocean environmental impact assessments. This paper provides a review of passive acoustic monitoring studies conducted along the western coast of Taiwan in the past decade. The study period encompasses the pre-construction, construction, and operational phases of the first offshore wind turbine demonstration project, as well as the current underwater noise characteristics during the construction phase of offshore wind farms. During the large-scale development of offshore wind farms, passive acoustic monitoring is a great way to maintain a good and sustainable marine environment.

Sound pressure and particle motion calculations considering pile skin friction

Modelling sound propagation over seabeds where the seabed cannot be approximated as an equivalent fluid due to limestone layers with high shear wave speeds is a common underwater acoustic propagation modelling problem for Australian shallow marine environments. With the increase in prospective areas for offshore windfarm development across Australia, construction operations across large regions of the continental shelf area are set to increase. Windfarm construction will require the installation of a large number of foundation piles near potentially sensitive marine habitat areas. Predicting the underwater noise from these activities requires suitable models. This paper investigates the modelling approaches for including a full elastic parameterisation of the seabed when conducting numerical predictions of pile driving sound emissions. The approach considers buried sources and the excitation of shear waves via a skin friction model for the stress–strain relation at the pile-seabed boundary. Shear waves are considered in the source model and in the propagation model. Sound pressure level metrics and particle motion metrics are considered as part of the numerical predictions.

Knowledge Management Dynamics in Offshore Wind Farms in the Netherlands

Offshore wind farm development is a is a highly complex process. The societal and political pressure to implement is high while environmental responses and future developments in the global energy network are uncertain. Moreover, many interests in maritime space are at stake. The dependency on knowledge for decision-making is high, but the capacity to use knowledge is limited. In this paper we investigate the role of ecosystem knowledge in offshore wind farm planning and management. We have identified 4 types of research arenas: (1) government driven (e.g., monitoring programs) (2) subsidized research (national or EU), (3) industrial or PPS (Public-private partnerships), and (4) research by universities. This study considers the way in which knowledge from different arenas is or could be taken up and used in policy. We identify that particularly government-driven research (monitoring) is used in policymaking. The analysis of policy documents, in-depth expert interviews and focus groups reveals that the distance between knowledge developers and knowledge users may differentiate from purely transactional relations to co-production-relations. However, co-production is rare beyond the monitoring programs directly initiated by the government agencies.