A recent Moroccan scientific study has found that the development of wind energy projects depends not only on wind resources but also on a precise understanding of underground geological and geotechnical conditions.
The study, published in the Journal of Applied Geophysics, examined how integrating multiple geophysical methods can improve the design and safety of wind farm infrastructure in complex geological environments.
Titled “Enhancing Wind Energy Site Characterization Using Multi-Geophysical High-Resolution Imaging Approaches: The Midelt Case,” the research concludes that a multidisciplinary approach combining advanced geophysical techniques with field data produces more reliable subsurface models.
It also helps optimize foundation design and identify the most suitable locations for wind turbine installation, particularly in geologically challenging areas such as Morocco’s Midelt region.
The study was conducted by a Moroccan research team including Ismail Khadrouf and Mohammed El Hilali, researchers at the Laboratory of Earth Sciences, Geomatics and Environment at the Faculty of Sciences Ben M’Sick, part of Hassan II University in Casablanca.
Researchers used a combination of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), seismic refraction tomography (SRT) and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) to build a semi–three-dimensional geoseismic model of a wind farm site characterized by karst formations.
The model was calibrated using borehole data and measurements taken during drilling operations, allowing for a more detailed reconstruction of subsurface structures.
According to the study, this non-invasive, high-resolution approach makes it possible to identify lithological variations and structural weaknesses such as fractures or cavities in carbonate formations.
These findings enable engineers to derive physical and mechanical parameters directly relevant to foundation design, improving the accuracy of site selection and turbine placement.
The researchers said the integrated approach helps reduce uncertainty and lower exploration costs while maintaining high confidence in results, compared with traditional methods based on limited point-based sampling.
The study also highlighted that certain geological settings, particularly those affected by weathering or karst formations, require specialized engineering solutions such as soil improvement or deep foundations.
The authors said the methodology could be applied more broadly in similar geological contexts, offering a framework for safer and more efficient renewable energy infrastructure development.
The research underscores the growing role of Moroccan scientific expertise in supporting national energy transition goals and highlights the importance of combining geophysics and geotechnical engineering to ensure the sustainability of renewable energy projects.
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