DNV Launches Joint Industry Project to Improve Ground Investigation Practices for Offshore Wind Developments

DNV Launches Joint Industry Project to Improve Ground Investigation Practices for Offshore Wind Developments

(IN BRIEF) DNV has launched the Ground Investigation for Floating Wind (GIFT) joint industry project (JIP) to establish clear guidelines for ground characterization in offshore wind projects. This collaboration, involving over 15 industry partners and academic institutions, aims to improve the reliability of anchoring systems for floating wind turbines, fixed-bottom foundations, and subsea cables. The project seeks to optimize site soil characterization within project timelines and introduce a flexible, risk-reducing approach for ground investigations using environmental classes instead of position-specific data. The initiative, set to last 1.5 to 2 years, will help streamline the development of offshore wind farms and provide clearer guidance for the industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) BÆRUM, 19-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — DNV has launched a new joint industry project (JIP) aimed at developing a recommended practice to guide projects adopting a comprehensive approach for improving ground characterization in offshore wind development. This project, named Ground Investigation for Floating Wind (GIFT), will bring together leading industry players to create robust and clear standards for the offshore wind sector.

DNV has recognized the necessity for enhanced guidance on the extent and frequency of ground investigations required to ensure the development of reliable, certifiable, and installable anchoring systems for floating wind turbines, fixed-bottom foundations, and subsea cable installations. The GIFT JIP will unite more than 15 industry partners to collaborate on creating an industry-wide practice for conducting ground investigations that will ensure the safe derivation of design soil profiles for both installation and long-term performance.

The project will also collaborate with academic institutions like the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of Southampton, Texas A&M, as well as regulatory bodies such as The Crown Estate, BOEM, and HEREMA. Alejandro Borobia, the JIP project sponsor at DNV, noted the importance of this initiative, stating, “As the industry addresses the complexities of scaling up offshore floating wind farms, it’s crucial to optimize soil characterization within project timelines to enable reliable designs and standardized station-keeping systems. The creation of clear guidelines and recommended practices is essential to provide confidence for decision-makers and investors alike.”

The goal of the GIFT initiative is to shift away from position-specific in-situ testing and adopt a more holistic environmental class-based approach for ground investigations. By combining geophysical and geotechnical site investigation techniques and advanced ground modeling, this approach will offer more flexibility, reduce risk in installation, and facilitate the reliable design of anchors, all while aligning with project timelines. Amy Beeston, the JIP technical lead at DNV, emphasized the importance of integrating both geophysical and geotechnical data, saying, “The collaboration between geotechnical and geophysical engineers is critical for optimizing ground models, which will be vital for anchor design and installation.”

The proposed approach may also be applicable to fixed-bottom foundations and seabed cable developments. The project’s aim is to develop a methodology for defining a design soil profile without relying on position-specific data, which could decouple site investigations from the final layout of the wind farm. This could potentially remove site investigations from the critical path of project development, providing more flexibility in final layout and design changes.

Yiorgos Perikleous, the JIP project manager and technical lead at DNV, explained, “We aim to establish a standardized procedure for assessing site conditions that allows developers to tailor ground investigations to their unique needs and schedules. With the significant expertise and experience of our partners, we are confident that this initiative will provide the industry with high-quality, clear guidance.”

The initiative, which commenced with a workshop in February 2024, is expected to run for 1.5 to 2 years, with an expected completion date in Q1 2025. DNV is also open to welcoming additional partners, including operators, designers, contractors, and regulators, to join the project.

Partners involved in the JIP will have access to technical workshops, early insights into the findings, and valuable knowledge that will contribute to the final recommended practice.

Media Contacts:

Monika Dippel
Communications Manager CEMED
Phone: +4940361498608
monika.dippel@dnv.com

Alejandro Borobia Moreno
Team Lead Geotechnics in RC
Phone: +4539454859
mailto: Alejandro.Borobia.Moreno@dnv.com

Amy Beeston
Principal Engineer
Amy.Beeston@dnv.com

Yiorgos Perikleous
Principal Geotechnical Engineer
contact.energysystems@dnv.com

SOURCE: DNV