Presentation Description: Wind turbine generators are continuously getting bigger in size in the drive to reduce the cost of energy from offshore wind. The monopile has been the most popular foundation for offshore wind given its relative simplicity and cost. As turbines get bigger these monopiles are along getting longer with large diameters. Acteon group companies are developing the technology required to be able to install these turbines.
One of the man developments is to ensure that our piling hammers can drive piles of >8m top diameter. In order to do this, we have developed a 2-part anvil that is capable of delivering the energy to the monopile. This development has required several innovations in the construction and operation of the hammer.
Along with developing the hammer to be able to drive the pile we have also developed a noise mitigation unit which reduces installation noise. This is a very important factor with the advent of bigger piles as their installation could cause more noise than the smaller monopiles we have previously installed.
An important consideration for developers, designers and installers is to understand how the hammers will behave given flange design, noise constraints and ground conditions. This is a topic that needs to be addressed early in the project
The new generation of >8m diameter hammer and noise mitigation units will be deployed don American offshore wind projects for 2024 onwards.
Learning Objectives:
Describe how they could drive their >8 metre Monopile and the risks which affect the successful installation of piles on their project
Define the methods by which they could reduce pile installation noise on their project
Conduct an assessment of the availability of hammers for their project
