WP3 – Advancement of modelling tools for OWE

Overview

Objectives: To advance existing numerical models (including OWF wake models, ocean–wave–ice models, biogeochemical models and ecosystem models) for evaluating cumulative impacts of OWFs, both for individual OWFs and large-scale OWF groups.

(Lead: FMI / Co-lead: HEREON)

Lead and Participants

Lead partner: FMI
Co-lead: HEREON
Contributing partners: DMI, SMHI, TalTech, NIVA, IOPAN, ULiege, all WP3 partners

WP3 Meeting Notes

Tasks

The WP3 is divided into five main tasks:

WP3.T1 – Modelling the atmospheric wakes (Lead: FMI / Partners: NIVA, DMI)

We will further develop the workflow to calculate wind wakes behind OWFs at basin scale using the open-source software pyWake, including verification of these offline wake computations using simulations from the weather model HARMONIE with parameterization of the atmospheric wake effects (at 2.5 km resolution).

WP3.T2 – Modelling the impact of OWFs on the wave–ocean system (Lead: DMI / Partners: FMI, HEREON, TalTech)

The state-of-the-art impact-resolving ocean–wave models will be further advanced for both individual OWF and large-scale applications. For individual OWF, the impacts of turbine foundations on the ocean and waves can be explicitly resolved by the unstructured-grid ocean–wave model SCHISM–WWM (5 m resolution, HEREON). The regional–basin scale models with parameterization of turbine bases (with resolution up to 50 m) will then be calibrated towards SCHISM–WWM high-resolution performance.

WP3.T3 – Modelling the impact of turbine foundations on sea ice (Lead: TalTech / Partners: FMI, SMHI, IOPAN)

We will implement a parameterization for OWF impacts on sea ice in the NEMO–SI3 and ROMS–CICE model systems, using regional setups in the north-eastern and southern Baltic Sea on a sub-kilometer-scale resolution. We will also assess the footprint of wind turbines by employing a Lagrangian model to simulate the trace from each wind turbine in a drifting ice field.

WP3.T4 – Modelling cumulative human–climate effects on water quality and marine ecosystems (Lead: HEREON / Partners: TalTech, FMI, NIVA, ULiege, IOPAN)

With inputs from models developed in T3.2–T3.3, we will adapt existing impact-modelling tools to assess OWF impacts on: (i) Fouling including multi-use sites (dedicated to low-trophic aquaculture) (SCHISM–WAM–ECOSMO; MAR–PHY–BGC); (ii) The spatial ecological connectivity of key species and the potential for OWFs to serve as stepping stones for non-native species by estimating species dispersal pathways using OpenDrift; (iii) Water quality, productivity and organic/mineral particle exports using ROMS–ERSEM; (iv) Water quality and optimal habitat of four commercially fished species (CEMBS–ECOFISH).

WP3.T5 – Calibration and validation of models (Lead: IOPAN / Partners: NIVA, TalTech, all WP3 partners)

Models developed in T3.1–T3.3 will be tuned and calibrated against observations (from WP2) to achieve improved performance for targeted sub-regions. In selected sub-regions, we will demonstrate further reduction in model uncertainties by assimilating: (i) Satellite-derived water quality variables; (ii) Ocean and ecosystem data, including OWF and aqua-farms. In all cases, the 2010–2020 period will be used for calibration and validation.

Page Links

Source: DTO4OWE Full Proposal – Research Programme (Work Packages and Tasks).