DNV Releases 2026 Edition of Seismic Design Guidelines for Wind Farms

en.Wedoany.com Reported - DNV, the Norwegian classification society, has updated its recommended practice for the seismic design of onshore and offshore wind farms, providing unified guidance for the expansion of wind power projects into seismically active regions. The updated DNV-RP-0585, "Seismic Design of Wind Farms," supplements standards covering wind turbines, support structures, and offshore substations, while supporting projects designed in accordance with the International Electrotechnical Commission's IEC 61400 series. The update reflects lessons learned from recent projects and the ACE 2-EVOLUTION joint industry project, which involved over 20 companies across the offshore wind value chain.

The 2026 edition includes updated seismic analysis methods and modeling requirements, revised recommendations for soil-structure interaction and foundation damping, additional guidance on seismic loads and ground motion selection, recommendations for identifying critical design locations within large wind farms, new guidance for installation vessels operating in seismic zones, and an appendix summarizing local seismic design requirements in Japan. Mette Redanz, Vice President of Renewable Energy Certification at DNV, stated that wind power projects are increasingly being developed in regions where seismic loads have become a primary design driver rather than a secondary consideration. The updated recommended practice provides the industry with a unified and transparent approach to seismic design, contributing to safer and more reliable wind power projects in demanding environments. Marcus Klose, ACE Joint Industry Project Manager and Head of Offshore Technology and Innovation at DNV, added that effective seismic design requires close coordination among turbine, support structure, and geotechnical disciplines. This update reflects insights gained through international collaboration and practical project experience, offering engineers clearer guidance while supporting consistency and confidence across the industry.