New system precisely locates subsea cables in seabed
Fraunhofer IWES has developed a novel seismo-acoustic method for locating subsea transmission cables. The system offers enhanced precision and reliability for identifying cable positions.
Accurate location of transmission cables beneath offshore wind farms is critical for Germany's energy transition. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES) have developed a new seismo-acoustic measuring system capable of identifying subsea cables with high precision and reliability. This advancement significantly improves the operational safety and economic efficiency of offshore wind farms and other subsea infrastructure.
Existing acoustic and magnetic methods for cable detection have proven to be time-consuming, costly, and unreliable. These challenges are particularly pronounced when cables are buried deep in sediment or in areas with multiple overlapping cables. The new system, developed within the SASACD project (Seismo-Acoustic Synthetic Aperture Cable Detection), can pinpoint cables with a diameter of just 25 centimeters with an accuracy of a few decimeters. The method enables cable monitoring over extensive areas.
Fraunhofer IWES is coordinating the SASACD project, which involves collaboration with the University of Bremen and TenneT Offshore GmbH. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is funding the initiative. According to the research institute, the seismo-acoustic imaging method effectively detects cables within the top layers of seabed sediment, thereby facilitating the planning of maintenance work and increasing the reliability of offshore wind farms.
The system's precision is crucial for installing new subsea cables, preventing damage to existing ones, and for protecting older cables and repairing faults. Seabed currents and sediment movement can displace buried cables over time, necessitating regular updates of their positions before new infrastructure is installed or repair work commences.