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GSA Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, USA - 2019

Paper No. 115-4
Presentation Time: 9:00 AM-6:30 PM

GEOLOGIC SETTING OF THE MARYLAND WIND ENERGY AREA: IMPLICATIONS FOR FOUNDATION SELECTION AND DESIGN


DIAZ, Katherine R., Department of Geological Sciences, University of Delaware, 255 Academy St, Newark, DE 19716 and MADSEN, John, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711

Introduction

As of April 2019, there are 15 offshore wind projects in different phases of development located along the east coast from Massachusetts to North Carolina (BOEM, 2019). Each lease area’s site assessment plan (SAP) includes geological and geophysical data that are vital to the planning and development process of offshore wind farms. This data provides parameters for subsurface material that influence decision making for foundational base selection and turbine placement within the lease area. This study provides insight on how interpreting geological and geophysical data can assist in foundation selection and reduce uncertainty in turbine placement.

Methods

To communicate the effectiveness of using geological parameters in site specific foundational base selection, geophysical data collected in the Maryland Wind Energy Area (WEA) were analyzed and interpreted. This geophysical data consists of Chirp sub-bottom profiles. Data is collected by emitting an acoustic pulse that is partially reflected back to receivers after hitting layers in the subsurface. Based on the intensity and travel time of the returned signal, a profile is generated of subsurface layers. These profiles were used to identify depositional layers and paleochannel systems. Sediment found in paleochannels can be heterogeneous, making it less favorable for foundation placement.

Results

This study identifies five subsurface units and incising paleochannel systems in the Maryland WEA. The data suggests for project planning, the southern sections to be unsuitable and the central-eastern to be most suitable. For foundation recommendations the data suggests, monopile or jacket foundations are most appropriate. Suction bucket foundations lend promising initial results but further studies are required. Future work collecting vibracores and analyzing sediment can be done to ground truth Chirp data and provide a more comprehensive understanding of subsurface conditions.

References

[1] Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), 2019: BOEM’s Renewable Energy Program, https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-RE-Programs-Fact-Sheet/

Session No. 115--Booth# 186

D13. Recent Advances in Marine/Coastal Science (Posters)
Monday, 23 September 2019: 9:00 AM-6:30 PM
Hall AB, North Building (Phoenix Convention Center)
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 51, No. 5
doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-332585
© Copyright 2019 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.
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