2nd Offshore Wind Symposium: Energy Group

There have been considerable efforts by the offshore wind community (both industry and academic) to publish relevant, informative studies regarding geological and integrated ground models (GGMs and IGMs respectively) for offshore wind developments, both conceptual and factual, over the past decade. However, these studies invariably cover the standard zone of interest (<100 m below seabed) for wind turbine generator (WTG) foundations. This has led to an inherent bias in the published literature, in terms of the geo-engineering constraints and geological hazards (or ‘geohazards’) that form the focus of these studies, with most centring on engineering challenges for fixed foundations for WTGs. This has left a knowledge gap with regards to geohazards and geo-constraints specific to seabed and very shallow subsurface infrastructure (subsea cables and drag embedment anchors for floating WTGs), which tend to have a zone of interest of <10 m below seabed (mbsf). This symposium aims to showcase a detailed review of geo-engineering constraints and geological hazards in the very shallow subsurface (<10 mbsf), giving attention and focus to subsea cables and drag embedment anchors, impacting installation works and performance for each type of asset. We encourage real-world case studies, that demonstrate the morphological, geophysical and/or geotechnical characteristics of constraints to installation, along with mitigation protocols and de-risking activities that have been integral to project success. This conference aims to bring together geoscientists and engineers interested and engaged in the geological, geophysical and geotechnical characterisation and modelling of the very shallow soils. Experiences of geohazards, oceanographic investigations and conceptual, statistical and deterministic modelling welcome.