Oceanographic survey analysis for offshore wind farm design
Services

Japan Weather Association provides weather and ocean data and statistical analyses required for developing exclusive occupancy and use plans over public bidding and acquiring ClassNK wind farm certification.

JWA leverages its proprietary sophisticated simulation and analysis technology to deliver oceanographic monitoring and analysis service. This provides the required information in developing offshore wind farm designs and to help develop exclusive occupancy and use plans over public bidding, and in acquiring safety conformity certification from NK (a wind farm certification by ClassNK).*

Compared to the onshore wind power technology, the offshore wind power technology has less impact on the landscape and generate less noise, and it is relatively easy to install large wind turbines. On the other hand, offshore wind farms have to operate under harsher environmental conditions such as strong winds and high waves than onshore counterparts, therefore, it is necessary to construct robust wind turbine facilities that will not be easily damaged or fail.
JWA estimates and provides winds, waves, and currents data around the candidate sea where offshore wind power projects are planned – a service that is available globally. The data and statistical analyses provided are essential for offshore wind farm business planning including project cost estimations, exclusive occupancy and use plans over public bidding required under the Marine Renewable Energy Act, and NK certification.

*NK certification is a process through which Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) evaluates the environmental conditions (wind, waves, and sea currents) around the proposed project sites and examines the proposed wind turbine designs for strength and safety.

Analysis service

JWA provides statistical analyses using its proprietary database and numerical simulations and delivers the essential information for offshore wind farm designs.

 

●Wind and wave database

JWA developed proprietary numerical models. They are extensively used to calculate wind and wave grid point values which constitute a database (wave estimation database). Wind and wave data can be retrieved from the database for any points and periods and used for analyses. The wave data constitutes of offshore wave data which is essential in this process.

●Wave simulation

The offshore waves dynamically change around the wind farm site because of seafloor topography. The wave simulation estimates the process by which the offshore wave advances into the marine zone where the proposed wind turbines will be located and changes its nature. The analysis delivers quantitative information about wave heights and periods around the structures and gives insight into the wave height distribution in the marine zones.

●Statistical analyses

JWA provides statistical analyses based on wind, wave, and sea tide data from the wave estimation database and wave simulations. JWA provides tailored and well-organized numerical information and statistics, including analyses that address the specific wind farm design criteria.

Features

• Provides essential weather and ocean data such as wind, waves, and sea currents and statistical analyses for offshore wind farm design.
• Utilizes the findings from simulation and analysis technology related to weather and ocean conditions to create data and statistical analysis value.
• Provides customer tailored statistical analyses to meet regulatory requirements.

Applications

• To develop offshore wind power farms.
• To develop essential information for developing exclusive occupancy and use plans over public bidding and obtaining NK certification, which is a prerequisite of construction plan submission.

Related news

・ Demonstration of offshore wind observation system using Spar Buoy with motion stabilizer has been completed. (January 14, 2021, Japan Weather Association News Release)
https://www.jwa.or.jp/english/news/demonstration-of-offshore-wind-observation-system-using-spar-buoy-with-motion-stabilizer-has-been-completed/

・ JWA developed the world’s first offshore wind observation system using Spar Buoy with a motion stabilizer, BuoyLidar – A test started off Shonai, Yamagata Prefecture, started to demonstrate its ability to reduce costs by tenfold. (July 11, 2017, Japan Weather Association News Release)
https://www.jwa.or.jp/news/2017/07/4490/ (only in Japanese)