Our last CM1 lecture was an insightful lecture by Scott Whyte and David Donaghy from Geowynd and Ocean Infinity, titled "Improved Geodata Acquisition, Interpretation, and Design Methods for Rapid Development of Offshore Windfarms." The lecture emphasised the need for adopting a full geo-lifecycle approach to offshore site development and explored the pressing challenges in offshore wind development, emphasising the need for faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable solutions. The speakers shared Geowynd’s expertise in optimising the Geodata lifecycle, from site characterisation to advanced geotechnical modelling, and presented recent geo-data acquisition innovations from Ocean Infinity such as lean-crewed vessels and the cutting-edge Infinity SCPT system for geotechnical investigations. They also addressed critical industry hurdles, including scaling operations, reducing timelines, and minimising resource use, while underscoring the importance of collaboration and industry-focused research to drive progress. This engaging lecture offered valuable insights into how innovative technologies and approaches can accelerate the transition to renewable energy through offshore wind development.
