SITE INVESTIGATION AND constraints mapping

There are a number of services that can be provided by SeaPlanner during the early stages of a project that will facilitate site investigations and the formulation of on-going development strategy.

Utilising the comprehensive in-house GIS database as well as external data sources, SeaPlanner can undertake constraints mapping to aid site selection and concept development. For example, data gathered from AIS feeds through the SeaPlanner application or external data providers can be used for shipping density analysis and navigational risk assessments; from this traffic analysis GIS can be used to generate an initial site design and site buffer zones to ensure safety of other marine users.

Similarly, GIS can be used to examine site specific survey data and conduct geophysical and geotechnical analysis. By plotting and overlaying data from various site surveys, the GIS can perform multi-criteria evaluations to inform initial site design concepts, while also performing a gap analysis to determine ‘holes' in data sets.

One of the more advanced functions of the GIS is its ability to create 3D geophysical models. SeaPlanner uses these models to interrogate data sets such as detailed bathymetry from geophysical surveys further in order to analyse potential cable routes and turbine positions given the seabed relief.