Interdisciplinary Strategies for Scour Risk Mitigation in Offshore Wind Foundations

Abstract

Abstract As offshore wind assumes greater importance in global renewable energy, scour undermining the foundations of these structures becomes a critical concern. The issue of scour demands proactive solutions to ensure the durability of offshore wind turbines, considering the shift to sustainable energy across the globe. This paper outlines an integrated strategy to mitigate scour risks using interdisciplinary approaches. Details will be provided on how scour degrades foundation integrity and a review of current geotechnical engineering solutions, supported by case studies. The influence of currents, waves, and sediment transport on scour is highlighted with computational modeling to simulate these dynamic processes. Big data analytics is explored to enable rapid automated risk assessments using advanced numerical algorithms and predictive analytics. The study also analyzes existing mitigation measures and proposes enhancements to preparedness, rapid response, and training. Current regulations are reviewed for compliance, with recommendations to update offshore industry standards. The potential to apply these techniques more widely, including in the oil and gas sector, is discussed. Future challenges, including environmental changes and technical limitations, are noted. Additional research avenues include enhanced scour monitoring and new foundation designs. In summary, this paper synthesizes key learnings, recommends pragmatic next steps that can be taken, and forecasts the evolving scour risk outlook as the shift towards offshore wind expands exponentially. A collaborative and proactive approach engaging disciplines across offshore geotechnical engineering and marine geosciences is advocated to safeguard the vital role of offshore wind in sustainable energy, accounting for the complex challenges of dynamic open ocean environments. The proposed recommendations will enable offshore wind power to successfully become an integral part of how energy is generated around the world, thus supporting a green energy future that is sustainable and eco-friendly.