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.
PO188: Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder: Marine growth and vortex shedding on dynamic cables
Terry Griffiths, Director/Principal Engineer, Aurora Offshore Engineering
Abstract
Dynamic subsea power cables (dSPCs) are vital components of floating offshore wind farms, transmitting electricity from turbines to substations. Suspended in the water column, they are highly exposed to biofouling, the accumulation of marine organisms, which has wide-ranging implications for cable behaviour, longevity, and ecological effects. This abstract explores four distinct perspectives on marine growth on dynamic cables, each with its own consequences and considerations, showing that the beauty of marine growth is in the eyes of the beholder. From a structural standpoint, marine growth is often a threat. Fouling increases mass and drag, elevating hydrodynamic loads that accelerate fatigue. In extreme cases, calcareous growth can increase cable tension by more than 60%, shortening service life and inflating costs. With cable failures responsible for many offshore wind insurance claims, antifouling or cleaning measures are applied, though they remain costly and only partly effective. A second perspective views accurate estimation of marine growth as a hydrodynamic advantage. Unlike on-bottom cables, dynamic cables cannot rely on conservative overdesign measures such as rock placement. Over- or underestimating biofouling impacts compromises stability. Thus, the most defendable design basis is to model only realistic settlement scenarios, reducing uncertainty and avoiding overly conservative or unsafe outcomes. Thirdly, marine growth also presents ecological opportunities. Cables act as artificial reefs, enhancing biodiversity in otherwise low-complexity, soft-sediment areas. Prohibitions on bottom trawling further reinforce this “reserve effect.” With intentional design, dSPCs could be repurposed as nature-inclusive infrastructure, promoting species beneficial to both ecosystem health and structural resilience. Finally, cables function as pathways for ecological connectivity. They may bolster genetic diversity among native populations but can also facilitate invasive species spread. Effective management must balance these dual outcomes to ensure ecological connectivity benefits do not come at the expense of local biodiversity.
No recording available for this poster.
