Designing and constructing offshore wind farms demands comprehensive knowledge of the environmental conditions at the selected location. This is the only way for the project to be a financial success. Fraunhofer IWES carries out wind measuring and modeling campaigns as well as the investigation of geological sub-surface characteristics and seismic surveys of the subsoil for offshore wind farms. Innovative technologies tried and tested in feasibility studies, data analyses, and actual offshore deployments are employed for sound site investigations.
Fraunhofer IWES has extensive experience in the development of offshore wind farms, from modeling wind conditions and wind measurements to sub-surface investigation and geological ground models. CFD (computational fluid dynamics) models are employed to simulate the offshore wind conditions according to relevant atmospheric characteristics. The effects of existing wind farms are also included. Floating lidar systems are employed for the offshore wind measuring campaigns. They meet the highest international standards and also offer innovative services for wind farm development.
For sub-surface investigation, Fraunhofer IWES has developed 2D and 3D geological investigation technologies with ultra-high-resolution multichannel seismics and brought them to market maturity. All wind farm areas in Germany that were centrally pre-investigated were measured by Fraunhofer IWES using this method. A further special field of application is boulder detection performed with the aid of of patented refraction seismic methods.
Effective project and risk management forms the basis for the successful and cost-efficient planning, construction and operation of offshore wind farms. During the planning and implementation phase, Fraunhofer IWES offers project planning and weather risk analyses in order to identify and assess potential risks at an early stage. In addition, Fraunhofer IWES supports partners in the development of new technologies to effectively exploit the potential of direct offshore generation of green hydrogen and other Power-to-X products.
The project partners are developing a model for the identification and quantification of risk-assessed, cost-efficient, and sustainable decommissioning strategies for first-generation offshore wind farms. BMWK, 07/2024–06/2027
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The RAVE research initiative has accompanied the first German offshore wind park for research purpose right from the start and linked up the projects associated with the 12 offshore turbines. The main goals of the new research project are reduction of the levelized cost of energy and riskassessment. Within "OpenRAVE" Fraunhofer IWES will continue to coordinate the research activities in the years to come and along with the public relations work. BMWK, 02/2020 – 05/2025
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The IRAV collaborative project is developing solutions for system gaps in the detection, classification, salvage, and disposal of hazardous waste in large marine areas, including for the construction of offshore wind farms. BMWK, 06/2023 - 11/2025
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The project partners are developing a procedure for the automated assessment of the reusability of bolts in wind turbines in order to create a resource-efficient parts cycle. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in the scope of the internal PREPARE program, 05/2023 – 04/2026
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The project partners are developing concepts for an innovative design and the optimal operation of offshore wind turbines and electrolyzers for the production of green hydrogen with simultaneous reduction of the use of rare earth elements. BMBF in the scope of SBEP, 05/2024 – 04/2027
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The project partners are developing a validated, model-based calculation method for the prediction of the ring creep of main bearings and planet carrier bearings. BMWK, 05/2024 - 04/2027
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The project partners are building up an academic network for the training of a creative and industry-oriented academic generation in the field of atmospheric flow physics and wind energy. Horizon Europe, MSCA 07/2023 – 06/2027
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Fraunhofer IWES is currently developing a cost-effective monitoring method for the recording of time-varying subsoil parameters in the pile area of offshore wind turbines using ultrahigh-resolution 4D seismics. BMWK, 06/2021 - 05/2025
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The project partners are analyzing the causes of power converter failure and developing methods for condition-based maintenance. BMWK, 03/2023 – 02/2026
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The project partners are developing an innovative 10 MW direct-drive generator concept based on PTF technology and testing a prototype in the MW power range. CETP, 11/2023 – 10/2026
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Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems