Sub-sea cable interactions

Description of impact

De-risking installation and operation of sub-sea cables for the offshore renewable energy sector

Description of the underpinning research

Seabed-fluid interactions resulting in enhanced sediment transport and seabed mobility lead to the exposure and/or burial of sub-sea cables. This exposes the cables to damage and results in loss capacity. Fundamental research into the intermittent nature of the turbulent sediment transport, which is not a linear function of the mean flow. The turbulent wake shed from sub-sea infrastructure and cables also contributes a significant layer of added complexity, shifting the equilibrium status of the seabed morphology and varying on tidal phase.

Beneficiaries and reach of impact

ORE industry; Business, Governments and Industry.

Sectors affected: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities; Construction; Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning supply;

Impact status	Potential
Impact date	1 May 2021
Category of impact	Economic, Environmental, Policy and Public Services