Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in industry and the academic community.
PO019: From Innovation to Standard Practice: Validation of Eco-engineered Cable Protection Mattresses and Scour Protection
Phil LeBlanc, Director of Business Development, Econcrete
Abstract
Evolving regulatory frameworks, including the EU Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and Marine Net Gain (MNG), are accelerating demand for Nature-Inclusive Design (NID) solutions in offshore wind, creating strong incentives for the integration of such solutions into project design at early consenting phases. In response, a growing number of NID solutions are being developed as alternatives to standard methods of cable and scour protection to transform offshore wind infrastructure into marine natural capital assets, delivering biodiversity enhancement and restoration benefits. But, to ensure that these solutions are scalable and durable, a robust validation framework is essential. Developers and transmission system operators (TSOs) increasingly require evidence-based substantiation to ensure that ecological and biodiversity enhancement do not compromise durability, structural integrity, and hydraulic stability under site-specific metocean conditions, and do not disrupt standard methods of offshore installation. This abstract presents good practices for validating NID solutions that align with both regulator and developer requirements and serve as environmental and technical derisking processes. Building on recent validation campaigns of eco-engineering solutions for cable and monopile scour protection, and practical deployment experience in collaboration with developers and TSOs, this presentation outlines a structured approach that integrates hydraulic stability physical model testing, structural integrity assessments, local manufacturing and standard deployment validation, and ecological monitoring. The goal is to provide the offshore wind industry with proven methods to substantiate NID performance, ensuring confidence in long-term functionality, scalability across environments, and compliance with emerging regulatory frameworks. As a result, NID solutions can progress from innovation to standard practice, supporting industry demands while delivering measurable environmental gains and corporate reporting data.
No recording available for this poster.
