2. Site conditions

Environmental conditions vary considerably from one site to another.

– Water depth: as offshore farms extend over large areas, bathymetry varies from one point to another on the same farm. Foundations often need to be adapted for each wind turbine.

– Tide: the average tidal range depends on the site. It is low in the Mediterranean, reaches 5 m on the Atlantic coast and exceeds 10 m in front of Saint-Malo.

– Waves: the local wave climate is fundamentally different between an area sheltered by land and the open sea. Waves generate considerable hydrodynamic forces, which dictate the dimensioning of structures.

– Currents: tide-induced currents reinforce hydrodynamic forces on structures.

– Soil: all stresses on the wind turbine are absorbed by the soil. The ground is...