Abstract
The technical and commercial success of offshore wind farms requires a robust understanding of ground conditions so that facilities can be optimally located and designed, and then successfully installed and operated. At the outset, a desktop study can provide an initial assessment of the ground conditions (i.e., geohazards, engineering constraints, and soil/rock properties) that are expected across potential project sites. This can aid screening-level decisions around project feasibility and concept selection and, where outcomes are positive, additional site investigation data are acquired. An understanding of the spatial variability in ground conditions is then developed as a ground model. As a project matures toward final investment and uncertainties are further reduced, the ground model can become increasingly quantitative and may include probabilistic predictions of properties in 3D.
This paper summarizes the ground-related risks and challenges that offshore wind projects will face in Nova Scotia, many of which result from glacial processes that were active over ten thousand years ago. We discuss how to maximize the value of new geophysical, geotechnical, and geological data and illustrate the importance of collaboration across these technical disciplines. Case studies from developments in formerly glaciated regions demonstrate how robust site characterization can optimize engineering decisions and reduce development timeframes. We conclude with a look to the future and suggest steps that may help Nova Scotia realize its bold offshore wind vision.