📋 Case Study

Vineyard Wind 1 Dynamic Array Cable Routing in Lobster Fishing Grounds

Avoiding active lobster traps while maintaining dynamic cable clearance over shifting sand waves in 30–45 m water depth

🏗️ Project Overview

806 MW US East Coast project (Avangrid, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners)

🎯 Challenge

Avoiding active lobster traps while maintaining dynamic cable clearance over shifting sand waves in 30–45 m water depth

🔧 Design Approach

Multi-objective optimization routing: minimum bending strain + trap avoidance + burial feasibility using GIS-integrated bathymetric change models

📐 Design Diagram

AI-generated project design illustration

📐 Key Calculations

Dynamic Strain Budget

ε_dynamic = (ΔL/L₀) × 100%

Result: 0.18%

Below 0.2% threshold for XLPE insulation fatigue limit

📊 Results

Zero gear entanglement incidents; 100% cable route compliance with NMFS fishing exclusion zones

💡 Lessons Learned

• •Real-time AIS data integration is essential for dynamic routing updates
• •Cable trenching must account for post-lay settlement in fine sand

✅ Key Takeaways

• 1Real-time AIS data integration is essential for dynamic routing updates
• 2Cable trenching must account for post-lay settlement in fine sand