Validation of a Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport Modeling Framework for the Evaluation of Offshore Wind Farms

Development of alternative energy production in the United States continues at a rapid pace, with significant public and private investment in recent years. Offshore wind energy (herein referred to as offshore wind) has become a significant contributor to the global energy market, and the number of projects in the United States is rapidly increasing. As the technology continues to improve, the ability to deploy offshore wind turbines in deeper waters becomes increasingly feasible; however, differences in deployment environments bring unique challenges. To continue developing offshore wind as a viable renewable energy source, the United States must overcome three critical hurdles: (1) reduce the cost of generating offshore wind electricity, (2) accelerate the deployment and permitting process, and (3) integrate the new electrical source with the national grid. This work aims to help reduce time and costs associated with planning, development, and permitting by accurately predicting environmental responses to the presence of offshore wind arrays. We demonstrate that interactions between offshore wind infrastructure and the environment can be accurately assessed through a focused model development and validation process that considers the interrelationships between ocean waves, circulation, and seabed dynamics. Best practices are recommended to help guide future model development.