DNV Seeks Ways To Tackle Earthquake Challenges For Wind Farms

Better Design For Wind Farms Exposed to Earthquakes

DNV, a leading energy expert and assurance provider, has initiated a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to enhance the design process for wind farms exposed to earthquakes. The ACE2 JIP is an extension of the previous "Alleviating Cyclone and Earthquake Challenges" (ACE) JIP, focusing on issues related to earthquakes that were not covered in the first project.

The JIP aims to address special topics such as damping, liquefaction, seismic load analysis, jack-up installation vessels, and specific Taiwanese and Japanese requirements. The results of the study will be incorporated into the recommended practice DNV-RP-0585, Seismic Design for Wind Power Plants, in line with the latest customer feedback and state-of-the-art knowledge.

According to Kim Sandgaard-Mrk, the Executive Vice President for Renewables Certification at DNV, the growth of installed offshore wind capacity worldwide predicts that Europe will be overtaken by Asia in the 2030s and North America in the 2040s.

This indicates a significant need to design wind turbines and offshore substations that can withstand challenging conditions like earthquakes, particularly in Asia and the US. Through this collaborative effort by the industry, the financial resilience of future wind farms in earthquake-prone regions will be improved.

 The project will also cater to the specific requirements of Taiwan and Japan, both of which are prone to earthquakes.

The ACE2 JIP marks a significant effort by the industry to enhance the design and operation of wind farms in earthquake zones. With the predicted growth of offshore wind capacity in Asia and North America, the project is a timely and much-needed initiative to ensure the safety and longevity of wind farms.