IQIP has been awarded a contract by Inch Cape Offshore Limited, a joint venture between ESB and Red Rock Renewables, for the 1.1 GW Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm in the Scottish North Sea. This flagship project will see the deployment of IQIP’s advanced IQ6 Hydrohammer® spread to install a total of 54 XXL monopile foundations.
IQ6 Hydrohammer® booster function
IQIP’s IQ6 Hydrohammer® is the most powerful hydraulic hammer in the world, capable of delivering up to 6,600 kJ of energy. It features an IQ-series booster function which allows for an increase in energy capacity of up to 120% when necessary, as well as the flexibility to use minimal energy at the beginning of pile driving.
The IQ6 Hydrohammer® is meticulously engineered to drive the next generation of larger monopiles, reinforcing its crucial role in advancing the future of offshore wind energy.
Introducing the new FPUT 3500
This project will also mark the first use of IQIP’s new FPUT 3500 (Flanged Pile Upending Tool). Designed for handling monopiles exceeding 9 meters in diameter, the FPUT 3500 boasts a lifting capacity of 3,500 ton, a fail-safe connection, and a design that leaves no markings on the pile or flange. The 3,500-tonne FPUT will be the largest flanged monopile upending tool in the world, setting a new standard in supporting the installation of the next generation of XXL monopiles.
The inclusion of the FPUT 3500 in IQIP’s extensive rental fleet underscores the company’s dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions for offshore installation projects, backed by its strong track record in handling monopiles.
Precision in installation
As part of its support for this project, IQIP’s experienced geotechnical analysts will also provide a Piling Book, a detailed compilation of driving simulations for all 54 monopile locations. This resource serves as both a forecast and a guideline for the hammer operators, ensuring precision and efficiency during installation. Drawing on IQIP’s extensive real-life experience and deep geotechnical knowledge, the Piling Book will enable optimized installation strategies tailored to the project’s unique challenges, reflecting IQIP’s commitment to excellence in offshore installations.
A major step forward
“We are thrilled to partner with Inch Cape Offshore Limited on this project, with deployment of our Hydrohammer® IQ6, and to expand our rental fleet with the FPUT 3500,” said Robin Ponne, Sales Manager at IQIP. “These developments mark significant milestones for our company, reflecting our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the offshore wind industry.”
“Inch Cape continues to push the boundaries of offshore wind with the installation of its 54 XXL monopiles. We are delighted to be working with IQIP due to the company’s outstanding capability in installation engineering using the latest hydraulic hammer and the latest flanged pile upending tools that are scaled up to the task,” said John Hill, Project Director at Inch Cape.
