GeoProvider uses data mining to reduce offshore wind costs

To achieve the EU’s climate goals, offshore wind power must increase exponentially, from 20 GW today to 450 GW by 2050. Right now, the risks associated with wind projects are slowing progress.

“For offshore wind developers, ground conditions are one of the greatest uncertainties. These can severely impact project costs, design, schedules, construction methods and profitability,” Lekens explains.

“In a few circumstances, humans and the environment face some risk as well,” he adds.

GeoProvider provides subsurface risk management to the offshore wind industry. The company’s solutions reduce subsurface risk during a wind project’s life cycle – from site selection to full-scale operation to end-of-life restoration.

“We provide wind farm developers with detailed information on ground conditions using advanced data mining and seismic processing. This ensures the best site selection and design decisions,” says Lekens.

“What sets GeoProvider apart is our groundbreaking technology. We employ advanced data mining and finite modelling and combine geoscience and engineering under one roof. Few, if any, companies are doing this globally,” he adds.

GeoProvider identifies and predicts issues such as seepage from below, weak sediments and seabed mobility. It also locates and quantifies hazards such as harmful shallow gas, earthquakes and unexploded mines. All this can affect the stability of the foundation and performance of electrical cables.

“Our data helps developers to submit bids on specific acreage. Each site is different, and while governments may provide a site assessment, it is rarely detailed enough to design the wind park. We provide this basis of design and help our customers to choose sites with the best chance of success,” says Lekens.

GeoProvider keeps the environment front and centre. First, it foregoes the use of intrusive data acquisition methods such as shooting seismic. It also identifies sensitive habitats such as coral reefs, preventing biodiversity loss from project start-up.

In addition, GeoProvider helps to reduce the cost of offshore wind development. “Better control of data gives developers deeper knowledge of the site. Through data-based decision making, they can minimise risks, optimise installations and thus reduce installation and operational costs,” he adds.

Offshore wind has a bright future, thanks to rapidly expanding government commitments and technological progress. More companies are pursuing offshore wind projects in a growing number of countries. Global installed offshore wind capacity is expected to at least double by 2050.

GeoProvider’s main customers are offshore wind developers and tier 1 suppliers such as subsea cable companies and installers. The company currently is serving offshore wind projects in Europe, East Asia and soon the US.

“This is a great opportunity for us. With every new country there are challenges, but we are nimble on our feet, and we see this as a global effort,” Lekens concludes.