Optimizing offshore wind export cable routing using GIS-based environmental heat maps

Backstrom, Joni Thomas; Warden, Nicholas Mark; Walsh, Colleen Marie

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-1105-2024

Articles | Volume 9, issue 5

https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-1105-2024

© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-9-1105-2024

© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 9, issue 5

Research article

|

08 May 2024

Research article |

| 08 May 2024

Optimizing offshore wind export cable routing using GIS-based environmental heat maps

Joni Thomas Backstrom, Nicholas Mark Warden, and Colleen Marie Walsh

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Final revised paper (published on 08 May 2024)
Supplement to the final revised paper
Preprint (discussion started on 14 Nov 2023)

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

RC1:
'Comment on wes-2023-146', Silvia Paoletti, 13 Dec 2023

Dear Editor,
Dear Authors,
Hereby I would like to share with you my review of the manuscript titled “Optimizing offshore wind export cable routing using GIS-based environmental heat maps” and authored by Joni Thomas Backstrom and Nicholas Mark Warden.
The study targets a very important issue in offshore marine renewable energy development, which is the installation and transmission of subsea power cables on the seafloor. The study presents a method with which all environmental and socio-economical receptors are identified and considered when mapping the potential impacts and risks of cable routing. The study clearly applies the method to an offshore wind farm case study in North Carolina, delivering proposed cable routes that optimize installation by minimizing risks and impacts. The study is original, scientifically correct, and well described, and it enables the reproduction and application elsewhere. I believe the manuscript is worthy of publication given the minor revisions proposed as comments in the attached pdf file.
Kind regards,
Silvia Paoletti

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2023-146-RC1
- AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Joni Backstrom, 13 Dec 2023
  
  Dear Silvia,
  Thank you for the thorough and detailed review of our export cable manuscript. The co-authors and I appreciate the constructive and positive comments. We will certainly make all of the suggested edits for the revised version of the paper, significantly improving the current one under review.
  Sincerely,
  Joni Thomas Backstrom
  UNC Wilmington
  
  Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2023-146-AC1
RC2:
'Comment on wes-2023-146', Anonymous Referee #2, 21 Dec 2023

Dear Editor,
Dear Authors,
Please find attached my review of the manuscript titled “Optimizing offshore wind export cable routing using GIS-based environmental heat maps”.
The study proposes the analysis of environmental impacts related to the installation offshore marine renewable energy subsea transmission cables, through a method that combines insight from EIA methodologies, conflict resolution studies and GIS suitability analysis. The study also discusses potential socio-economic impacts of a number of cable routing options, as resulted from the analysis of environmental impacts. As emphasized in the manuscript, this is indeed a topic less researched, highly relevant and timely, due to the high ambitions for a fast deployment of renewables offshore.
The area of study study is thoroughly presented, the method correctly applied and the sources for the geo-spatial is clearly referenced. With minor revisions (proposed in the attached pdf), the manuscript is worthy of publication as it provides added value in the field of cumulative impacts of renewable energy infrastructure.
Kind regards,
Laura Gusatu

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2023-146-RC2
- AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Joni Backstrom, 23 Dec 2023
  
  Dear Laura,
  Thank you for agreeing to review our export cable manuscript on behalf of WES. We appreciate the edits and suggestions you have recommended, and we will consider these carefully with our revised paper. Please note the sensitivity values we proposed in the analysis are based on local environmental knowledge and standard EIA methodology (magnitude of effect vs sensitivity of receptor), which we believe are most suitable in this particular case. It would be interesting to try different sensitivity values, and communicate with specific cable experts, but it is beyond the scope of our proposed study. Your suggestion to run the cable route across the shortest distance within the navigation channel is an interesting concept, which we plan on exploring further by speaking to local subsea cable experts and by reviewing the German studies you referred to - which is much appreciated. The proposed 'perpendicular to navigation channel' will undoubtedly increase the export cable route distance (i.e. will no longer be the shortest possible route from windfarm to land which we identified) but it will be faster to complete within a constrained/sensitive/high risk area and will have less distance covered within the shipping channel, which is an important consideration. As a minimum, we will include this alternative suggestion in the revised paper. Thank you for taking the time to carefully review our manuscript. Much appreciated!
  Kind regards,
  Joni Thomas Backstrom & Nicholas Warden
  UNC Wilmington
  
  Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2023-146-AC2
RC3:
'Comment on wes-2023-146', Anonymous Referee #3, 10 Jan 2024

See supplement

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2023-146-RC3
- AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Joni Backstrom, 27 Dec 2023
  
  The co-authors and I want to thank you for the thorough and detailed review of our manuscript, in addition to the constructive and positive comments you provided. We plan to address all of the 'clarification' comments you mentioned, in addition to correcting some of the smaller grammatical errors you kindly pointed out. Again, many thanks.
  Sincerely,
  Joni Thomas Backstrom
  UNC Wilmington
  
  Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2023-146-AC3

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload

AR by Joni Backstrom on behalf of the Authors (20 Feb 2024) Author's response Author's tracked changes Manuscript

ED: Publish as is (29 Feb 2024) by Anca Hansen

ED: Publish as is (12 Mar 2024) by Nicolaos A. Cutululis (Chief editor)

AR by Joni Backstrom on behalf of the Authors (18 Mar 2024) Author's response Manuscript

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Short summary

We used desktop studies, geographic information system mapping, modeling and environmental impact assessment techniques to identify optimal offshore wind cable routes for a proposed offshore wind energy area off the coast of North Carolina by navigating around sensitive or hazardous seabed areas. Similar methods can be adopted by other offshore industries during early planning phases to improve consenting; reduce costs; and, importantly, minimize impacts on marine environments.