Test and monitoring means
A biofouling observatory for floating wind farms
For the past five years, we have had a biofouling observatory consisting of instrumented buoys in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. This unique long-term monitoring programme enables us to study offshore biocolonisation and the factors that influence it. This data is key to design, maintenance and environmental integration.
Instrumented buoys to study biofouling
We have equipped several buoys in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, as close as possible to the areas selected for future floating wind farms. Fitted with biofouling monitoring devices (e.g. synthetic mooring lines sample holders, dynamic cable holders), they enable us to study the phenomenon of biocolonisation of submerged components.
The data collected (weight in air, weight in water, volume, thickness, density, diversity of organisms, specific coverage rate) aims to characterise and quantify biofouling in different environmental conditions and at different depths (up to 70 m).
The results obtained provide a better understanding of the variability of biocolonisation and can be considered in structural design models and food web models. This is key information for the design and maintenance of floating wind farms.
Why choosing us?
Benefiting from a unique range of services
Access to rare data
For several years, we have been collecting data at 3 sites in the Mediterranean and 2 in the Atlantic at different depths. This has provided us with measurements of the weight, volume and thickness of biofouling. We have also identified the species present and their relative abundance. Several environmental parameters are measured or supplemented by modelling data where necessary, such as temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen content, fluid velocities and substrate accelerations. This enables us to refine the methods used to identify explanatory variables that can be used to correlate the composition of the communities observed.
Tailor-made support
We support you in the deployment of specially designed instrumented systems. We offer proven biofouling monitoring protocols that have been rigorously tested and are ready for implementation, whether during the initial assessment phase, project design or operation. We also offer in-depth analysis of the data collected to determine the engineering parameters essential for floats design, dynamic cables and mooring lines.
Conducting R&D of excellence
Since 2017, we have been conducting research on the characterisation of biofouling and its effects on floating systems. Our transdisciplinary approach combining marine biology and fluid-structure interactions enables us to develop comprehensive R&D projects. We have published 10 scientific articles on the subject in international journals. The results can be directly used by industry developing floating wind, tidal or wave energy farms. Our added value lies in identifying the environmental variables (including hydrodynamics) that influence the typology and evolution of biofouling through multivariate analysis. In addition, we have developed expertise in long-term monitoring on mobile offshore platforms requiring a tailored protocol.
An operational and scientific team
Instrumentation & Acquisition
This team is specialised in the deployment of offshore devices and data acquisition. Its members specify the measurement systems appropriate for the study sites and oversees offshore operations in accordance with best practices in occupational safety. This team has carried out more than 70 missions specifically dedicated to monitoring biofouling for floating wind farms.
Systeme & Performance
Within this department, several scientists have extensive experience in hydrodynamics and fluid-structure interaction calculations. They possess comprehensive expertise combining numerical modelling and experiments in test tanks and at sea. Having been involved in applied R&D projects and providing services to industry since 2017, they are fully aware of the challenges of profitability and reliability in floating wind farms.
Wildlife & Interactions
Within this department, several marine biologists have expertise in monitoring offshore biocolonisation. As part of research work and R&D services, these scientists regularly identify (in the field or from images) the major groups of organisms that make up the epibenthos and analyse data from taxonomic analysis of biofouling. This analysis is based on a detailed study of morphological criteria and targeted metagenomic techniques.
Find out where our test and monitoring means are located
Thanks to our unique at-sea test and monitoring facilities, long-term observations and experiments can be carried out in offshore environments. It is crucial for stakeholders in the sector to have access to data acquired in the field, under real-life conditions.
Our references
The evaluation process is not simply a box-checking exercise, it’s a real opportunity to discuss the content.
Another key strength of this Committee was that it is made up of researchers from different backgrounds, laboratories and countries. This leads to very rich and stimulating discussions.
We often tend to work on individual projects. The DRACCAR-MMERMAID research project gives us the opportunity to be involved in studying cumulative effects at the scale of an entire coastline.
