Balmoral HexDefence
Scour phenomena
Offshore wind power is a fast-growing solution for the global demand for clean, renewable energy. Offshore wind farms are now being built in increasingly hostile hydrodynamic environments and, in typical installations to 55msw, monopiles are used. These structures, designed to support the turbine tower, are made of a thick steel cylinder that can be buried below the seabed to depths of 30m+.
These monopiles are often subject to scour phenomena which can lead to turbine foundation instability and inter array cable damage ultimately resulting in expensive cable failure. To mitigate these consequences scour protection is used to defend the seabed around a monopile structure.
Scour phenomena
Scour phenomena
Scour protection typically involves the installation of a layer of material around the base of the monopile to prevent sediment erosion. This can be made of various materials including rock, concrete or a specially designed geotextile fabric. The layer is placed on the seabed around the monopile to dissipate the energy of the fluid flow and reduce erosion rates.
These measures need to be carefully monitored to avoid damage to the turbine, seabed and any associated cabling. The costs involved in this process, along with the carbon footprint implicated with extra quarrying and vessel time for installation, is significant.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about Balmoral HexDefence and how it can improve your offshore wind farm's installation, management, and maintenance.
Balmoral Comtec Ltd
Balmoral Park, Loirston, Aberdeen AB12 3GY | +44 (0)1224 859000 | surety@balmoral.co.uk
Registered number SC301819