A comprehensive research and development initiative, the “2C NOW” project, has been initiated to investigate the implications of climate change on wind resources and metocean design conditions within the offshore wind industry. Led by France Energies Marines, the French institute dedicated to offshore renewable energy, the 2C NOW project is set to be a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders, including industry players like Innosea.
The public-private partnership aims to utilize new regional climate models to scrutinize the impact of climate change on offshore wind resources. Additionally, the project will assess the performance of these climate models. Notably, 2C NOW will delve into the effects of climate change on extreme wind, wave, and water level events, with a specific focus on their influence on the design of various offshore wind assets, including subsea cables and offshore substations.
“To future-proof our all-important offshore wind industry, it is critical to identify the impacts of climate change on offshore wind farms, as well as to determine how design can be adapted to mitigate risk,” emphasized Bruno Borgarino, Head of Climate Change Adaptation Studies at Innosea. He expressed the group's commitment to contributing to a successful energy transition, aligning with the project's objectives.
The 18-month-long project aims to disseminate its findings widely across the industry through a dedicated online platform. By leveraging new climate models and conducting a comprehensive evaluation, the 2C NOW project aspires to provide valuable insights that can guide the adaptation of offshore wind infrastructure to the evolving challenges posed by climate change.
