The development of Investigation Areas of offshore wind farm sites requires the processing and integration of all available data and exploration results from a series of exploration campaigns over the respective areas. The integration of exploration data from geophysical and geotechnical surveys represents a development task that is specially commissioned and requires specific expertise and experience in handling and processing marine data. To cover the broad scope of tasks, Fraunhofer IWES will work closely with RPS and Geowynd.

Integrated Ground Model (IGM)
To develop a fully integrated ground model (IGM), all subsoil exploration data, whether geophysical or geotechnical in nature (from three geophysical and two geotechnical campaigns at DDWWFZ), are harmonized, reprocessed, reinterpreted, integrated and incorporated in an IGM. Predicted geotechnical parameters can then be generated across the area, which enable flexible planning of wind farm layouts, and can be used in the conceptual and detailed technical design of offshore wind turbine foundations. 

In parallel, a geotechnical laboratory testing program will be designed to perform laboratory tests on the marine soil samples. The results of the geotechnical laboratory tests will be evaluated, interpreted and integrated into the IGM and the parameterization process of the GIR. Both reports will be issued to RVO, which will publish these documents in the public domain for the use of future investors.

Innovative approaches from Fraunhofer IWES
Fraunhofer IWES and its partners included in the successful bid a number of innovative methods, that are being integrated into the project, representing innovations in data analysis new to the market. These techniques comprise innovative reprocessing of the geophysical 2D and 3D data sets, which addresses improved imaging. This significantly reduces the risks involved in planning the layout of the Wind Farm Zone.

Additionally, methods of transfer learning from Fraunhofer IWES are used to make existing data and information from adjacent offshore planning areas (where comparable geological conditions prevail) usable for the further development of DDWWFZ, enhancing the data verification process. Thus, planning and development steps can be placed on a broader basis and made more reliable, while at the same time being accelerated due to the availability of additional prior data.

Michel Vrolijk, project manager at RVO, says: “I want to congratulate Fraunhofer IWES and its partners on the win of the Tender to develop an integrated Ground Model for the Doordewind Investigation Area. I’m expecting a good collaboration with Fraunhofer IWES during this project and as the Tender did contain an innovative aspect, I’m looking forward to the implementation of the proposed innovations to support the derisking of offshore wind development within the area.”

Jan Hebig, group leader in the Subsurface Investigation department at Fraunhofer IWES, says: “We are very pleased that the capabilities and experience of our team and those of our British partners were able to convince RVO to award the project to Fraunhofer IWES and Partners. We are very much looking forward to working with RVO and the opportunity to once again actively and innovatively contribute to the further expansion of offshore wind power in Europe.”

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About the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES
Fraunhofer IWES develops innovative methods to accelerate the expansion of the wind energy and hydrogen economy, minimize risks and increase cost efficiency. Innovations in technological developments are validated and innovation cycles are shortened. Planning and development of offshore wind farms are accelerated and made more precise. At present, there are more than 300 scientists and employees as well as more than 100 students employed at the nine sites: Bochum, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Görlitz, Hamburg, Hannover, Leer, Leuna, and Oldenburg. The combination of a globally unique testing infrastructure with methods expertise distinguishes Fraunhofer IWES as a research partner for companies all over the world. Participation in international expert committees makes the institute an active trailblazer for technological developments and quality assurance in the wind industry.
www.iwes.fraunhofer.de/en.html

DDWWFZ general info:
Doordewind Wind Farm Zone (DDWWFZ) is located approximately 77 kilometers (km) off the north coast of the Netherlands. DDWWFZ is divided into two Wind Farm Sites (WFSs) and has a total surface area of approximately 565 km². This includes the maintenance and safety zones. DDWWFS I and DDWWFS II will each have the capacity to accommodate 2000 MW. A tender to develop DDWWFS I is expected to open in Q1-Q2 2027. In 2024, the Dutch Government decided DDWWFS II will not be developed in the 21 GW Roadmap yet, which is planned to be ready end of 2032. The wind farm in DDWWFS I is planned to be fully operational in Q4 2032.