idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Fraunhofer IWES and Fugro Germany Marine GmbH have successfully completed the Geophysical Site Characterization of the N-9.5 area in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea. The survey was conducted for the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie BSH) during April and May 2025. The campaign included recording both Sub-Bottom Profiler and Ultra-High-Resolution Multi-Channel Seismic data (UHR MCS) for a dense grid of 2,349 kilometers of survey lines. Thus, an area-wide overview of the geological setting is created.
Both datasets aim to resolve different depth ranges of the subsurface in the study area. The sub-bottom profiler data provides high-resolution images of sediments and existing geological structures down to 15 meters below the seabed. The UHR MCS data enables imaging of larger sediment bodies and geological structures, down to 200 m below the seabed. After integrating both datasets, a preliminary interpretation of the subsoil conditions was carried out.
“As part of the central preliminary site investigation, the preliminary interpretation provides us with a valuable planning basis for the preliminary geotechnical investigation and forms the starting point for the development of an engineering geological model”, says Marcel Ruhnau, coordinator of geophysical site investigation at the BSH. The dataset will also support future geotechnical investigations and reduce constructions risks for the planned offshore wind farm.
“It is vital that OWF developers and their engineers are provided with precise geological information to enable them to make informed decisions and plan accordingly. This will ultimately reduce costly project delays and contribute to the development of the wind farm”, summarizes Fugro project manager Manfred Stender. According to the site development plan from January 30, 2025, the site N-9.5, with a size of approximately 146 km2, is planned to add 1 GW to the offshore grid in Germany.
Fugro acted as the main contractor, providing the survey vessel (Fugro Discovery) and being responsible for acquiring, processing, and interpreting the sub-bottom profiler data. As a subcontractor, Fraunhofer IWES was responsible for acquiring, processing, and interpreting the UHR multichannel seismic data. Jesley Geoservices provided Fraunhofer IWES with personnel support in processing the recorded ultra-high-resolution multichannel seismic data in order to successfully complete the very tight project schedule.
“The successful completion of this project marks our eight consecutive years of conducting an UHR MCS campaign for the BSH in the German North Sea. We have been working with Fugro on preliminary geophysical site investigations of offshore wind farm planning areas for six years now. Thanks to our long-standing partnership with Fugro, we have a deep understanding of our shared goals and processes”, says Tim Burmeister, project manager at Fraunhofer IWES. Supporting windfarm pre-investigation projects, the institute is actively contributing to the successful implementation of the energy transition in Germany.
__
Contact partner at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES
Gabriela Sierra Lombera
Group Leader Geophysical Site Characterization
Phone +49 471 14290171
Email: gabriela.sierra@iwes.fraunhofer.de
www.iwes.fraunhofer.de
Contact partner at Fugro Germany Marine GmbH
Connor Schulze
Business Development Manager Renewables
Phone +49 421 4088850
Email: c.schulze@fugro.com
www.fugro.com
Contact partner at The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH)
Press office
Email: presse@bsh.de
www.bsh.de/EN
__
About Fraunhofer IWES
The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES conducts application-oriented research for a sustainable future. The focus topics of the Fraunhofer IWES are offshore, hydrogen, test infrastructure and digitalization. The research work in these future-oriented key technologies plays a central role in the innovation process and strengthens the business location for the benefit of our society by transferring the research results to industry. More than 400 employees at nine locations are developing innovative methods to accelerate the expansion of the wind energy and hydrogen economy, minimize risks, and increase cost efficiency.
About Fugro
Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist. With its unique map, model and monitor solutions, the company provides project critical insights into the built and natural environment. Fugro supports clients by delivering solutions in support of the energy transition, large-scale infrastructure development and climate resilience. With expertise in site characterization and asset integrity, clients are supported in the safe, sustainable and efficient design, construction and operation of their assets throughout the life cycle. In line with its purpose, Fugro is extending its know-how and solutions to the understanding and preservation of ecosystems.
Employing approximately 10,000 people in 52 countries, Fugro serves clients around the globe, mostly in the energy, infrastructure and water industries, both offshore and onshore. In 2024, revenue amounted to EUR 2.3 billion. Fugro is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
About BSH
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) is Germany's maritime authority. BSH is responsible for shipping, marine protection and sustainable marine use, offshore, marine surveying, marine data and maritime departmental research. 1,000 employees in over 100 different professions work at the locations in Hamburg and Rostock as well as on five surveying, wreck search and research vessels.
BSH is a higher federal authority and departmental research institution within the remit of the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV).
Contact partner at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES
Gabriela Sierra Lombera
Group Leader Geophysical Site Characterization
Phone +49 471 14290171
Email: gabriela.sierra@iwes.fraunhofer.de
www.iwes.fraunhofer.de
Measuring the seabed at a planned wind farm site.
Copyright: © Fraunhofer IWES
Criteria of this press release:
Journalists, Scientists and scholars
Energy, Environment / ecology, Geosciences, Oceanology / climate
transregional, national
Cooperation agreements, Research results
English
Measuring the seabed at a planned wind farm site.
Copyright: © Fraunhofer IWES
You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.
You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).
Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.
You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).
If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).
