Ørsted Implements Tech to Reduce Noise in Offshore Wind Projects

Ørsted, a Danish multinational energy company, has implemented technology to reduce noise and improve efficiency during the installation of offshore wind foundations, aiming to enhance the protection of marine life and improve the economic viability of offshore wind projects.

Noise pollution in the marine environment has become a critical concern due to its devastating effects on marine wildlife, according to Euro News. The noise generated by ships, industrial operations, and oil drilling interferes with the communication and feeding of certain animals, particularly species like whales and dolphins that rely on sound for navigation and locating food. 

European Union studies have highlighted that underwater noise can disrupt marine ecosystems by adversely affecting key organisms in the food chain. 

"To mitigate these effects, it is essential to implement technical and management measures that reduce noise generated by human activities at sea," Euro News notes. "In addition, continuous global monitoring of underwater noise and the adoption of less noisy technologies during the construction of marine infrastructure, such as wind farms, could help protect delicate marine ecosystems and ensure the sustainability of marine life."

In response to these challenges, Ørsted has introduced several measures to safeguard marine life during wind farm construction. These include limiting the duration and intensity of construction activities and employing acoustic barriers like bubble curtains. 

The new technology, tested at the German offshore wind farm Gode Wind 3 addresses these concerns by reducing the resistance of sandy soil around monopiles, allowing foundations to sink without the traditional methods like pile driving. This innovation has significantly reduced subsea noise levels by 34 decibels, achieving a noise reduction of more than 99% without requiring additional mitigation measures. Noise levels now only slightly exceed ambient noise in the German North Sea Bay.

"Ørsted has been at the forefront of offshore wind innovation and marine protection for 30 years, and we continue to push the boundaries of innovative new solutions," said Patrick Harnett, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Ørsted. "Once industrialized, this not only could be cheaper, faster and much quieter - without additional mitigation - than any other monopile installation technology, but it also has the potential to make next-generation foundations lighter, as they will not have to be designed for the conventional installation process."

Currently, Ørsted has installed 11 megawatt (MW) wind turbines on these foundations, with Gode Wind 3 expected to commence commercial operation later this year. The company is actively evaluating the feasibility of expanding this technology to different soil conditions and securing regulatory approvals for implementation in other global markets.