By Rikki Stancich in Paris

GL Garrad Hassan was recently awarded the contract to manage the FINO2 research platform in Kriegers Flak.

Located in the south Baltic Sea, Kriegers Flak has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its optimal, shallow water conditions for offshore wind.

While the estimated wind power potential of more than 1.5 GW is divided between Germany, Sweden and Denmark, scope exists for these countries to exploit the wind potential collaboratively via an interconnected offshore grid.

WindEnergyUpdate catches up with GL Garrad Hassan’s environmental impact assessment expert, Mirjam Tome, to learn more about how the FINO2 platform will assist offshore wind energy developers in the Baltic Sea.

WindEnergyUpdate: Are any changes or improvements envisaged for the existing research programme on FINO 2?

Mirjam Tome: The existing research programme has been extended to 2012 and it covers meteorological and hydrological measurements, long-term bird migration patterns and mapping maritime traffic around the platform.

In addition we have another research programme being run by the Institute for Baltic Sea Research and the Centre for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, who are collaborating on the implementation of gas transfer measurements between the ocean and the air.

There is also a plan to install a buoy to measure wave height, wave period and wave direction.

WindEnergyUpdate: What have been the key findings of FINO 2's research programme to date (have any areas been identified as unsuitable for wind farms owing to migratory patterns, have any mitigation strategies been developed on the basis of findings)?

Mirjam Tome: Among the key findings to date, the average wind speed is 9.9 metres per second, which is higher than expected in the Baltic Sea.

There have been 3 lightening strikes on the MET mast since 2007, one of which caused damage to the mast.

It is really important to have insight into bird migration patterns, so long-term research is being carried out to predict migration routes and how they might be affected during difficult weather conditions.

WindEnergyUpdate: In addition to determining optimal siting, how else does/will FINO 2 benefit wind farm developers and operators?

Mirjam Tome: It helps wind energy developers identify the best design for the wind farms, as well as providing energy output predictions, which is necessary for securing finance.

Developers and operators benefit from maritime mapping, insofar as they can mitigate vessel collisions with wind farms.

WindEnergyUpdate: What kind of potential does FINO2 hold for future offshore wind developments in Kriegers Flak?

Mirjam Tome: Apparently, German and Swedish developers have already used technical data from FINO2 for site planning purposes.

FINO2 will also be the focal point of research collaboration between Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

WindEnergyUpdate: Is/will GL Garrad Hassan be involved in any significant projects in this area?

Mirjam Tome: To date, GL Garrad Hassan has been involved in a few studies and we have carried out energy yield assessments for different clients, based on data from FINO2.

Apart from these services GL Garrad Hassan also offers technical and engineering services, such as offshore project management. 

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Rikki Stancich: rstancich@gmail.com