IQIP invests in The Sound of Silence

News published on 13 June 2019

IQIP is going all out on noise mitigation. The company continues to invest in the development of new and innovative noise mitigation solutions that support an environmentally friendly installation. With two new developments, IQIP is now expanding its portfolio.

For many years, IQIP has been a partner in creating renewable energy, by installing foundations at offshore wind farms in partnership with renewable energy firms. Working safely, and with minimal environmental impact are among its highest priorities. That’s why IQIP is continuously developing new tools that can further improve safety and protect marine life during pile driving. IQIP has already developed a Noise Mitigation System, the Integrated Monopile Installer, which effectively reduces noise levels in accordance with the strictest German legislation. IQIP is now looking to the future. It is developing new solutions that will comply with even tighter regulations in preparation for tomorrow’s offshore wind market.

Pulse – a noise mitigation solution for hydrohammers

One of its latest innovations, PULSE, reduces noise levels significantly at source and creates an environmentally friendly installation. This damping system (add-on) can be positioned between hammer and sleeve and can be used on IQIP’s existing large hammer fleet. Advantages of Pulse are:

6 to 10 dB reduction on Sound Equivalent Level (SEL)
5 to 12 dB reduction on Sound Peak Pressure Level (SPL)
flexible damping
up to 60% reduction in fatigue damage to the pile
equal installation time

Using Pulse in combination with a Noise Mitigation System, such as the Noise Mitigation System or Integrated Monopile Installer, ensures the installation of piles under the strictest German noise legislation, eliminating the need for a Big Bubble Curtain (BBC). This increases the efficiency of the operation, while saving the additional costs of a BBC. In addition, the CO₂ output is reduced, requiring fewer BBCs than in current piling operations.

Working principles

During current piling operations, the impact of the ram weight on the anvil generates a very high and short impact characteristic, which results in high levels of underwater noise affecting marine wildlife. Pulse damps the impact and noise using two hydraulic plungers. The volume in between the plungers can be filled with water. During pile driving operations, Pulse can be turned on or off by adding more or less water to the plungers, which controls the impact characteristic, reducing noise at the source. Pulse has undergone rigorous testing at IQIP’s test site and the technology is now ready for market deployment.

PULSE – A smarter way to mitigate noise

Blue piling technology – installing the biggest monopiles

The BLUE Piling technology can be used to install the largest monopiles in the world and reduce noise at the source during installation. An additional benefit is that the prolonged pulse duration reduces the loads on secondary steel, allowing more secondary steel to be welded on to the foundation prior to installation. This reduces the amount of manual handling and increases safety, as no hands on deck are needed.

Working principles

The BLUE Piling technology uses the impact of a large water mass over a longer period to create a pushing force on the pile. As a result, the vibrations of the pile wall are reduced significantly. An offshore test performed with leading industry partners has already demonstrated a potential underwater noise reduction of roughly 20 dB (SEL). As part of the BLUE Piling development, several improvements to the technology will be tested and implemented, making the technology ready for the market.

By its nature, the technology allows for very large pile diameters, making it perfectly suited for the next generation of monopiles.

Both Pulse and BLUE Piling technology make it possible to achieve an environmentally friendly foundation installation, by ensuring noise is reduced significantly at the source, and meeting the requirements of the strictest German legislation. With these new solutions, and in light of industry developments such as increased lifting capacities and larger monopiles, IQIP is ready to handle the next generation of monopiles in tomorrow’s offshore wind market, installing foundations safely and more quietly.

Update from June 2022
As a result of recent developments and various improvements to the technology, it will henceforth be referred to as EQ-Piling

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