Together with TNO, Van Oord and AdBm Technologies have demonstrated the new AdBm Noise Mitigation System (NMS). The NMS reduces underwater noise resulting from offshore pile driving wind turbine foundations.
This means less disturbance for marine mammals near the construction site. The test results are favourable. For this reason, Van Oord plans to use the NMS in future wind farms, amongst others during the construction of the Borssele wind farm.
Acoustic Resonators
The NMS uses special acoustic resonators designed and produced by AdBm Technologies, which reduce the noise from pile driving. As a result of this technology, the specific frequencies that produce the most noise can be targeted. This makes the NMS stand out from existing systems.
Shutting the Blinds
Furthermore, waves and currents have little or no effect on the NMS thanks to its open, but robust design. The NMS deployment system was designed and built at Van Oord. It workings are similar to window blinds that can be put up and down easily.
Combination with Big Bubble Curtain
The NMS has been tested extensively. The result showed that the NMS, in combination with a Big Bubble Curtain (BBC), meets the Dutch and Belgian standards for noise emissions at sea. The developers see possibilities to further optimise the system in the future.
NMS for Borssele Wind Farm
In view of the favourable test results, Van Oord will commission the NMS in the short term at the Borssele wind farm. This offshore wind farm lies approximately 20 km off the coast of Walcheren in the Province of Zeeland. The NMS will be used during the construction of plots 3, 4 and 5. These plots will provide approximately 850,000 households with sustainable energy after commissioning.
The development of the NMS and related trials were funded through a Renewable Energy Grant from RVO and supported by TKI Wind op Zee.
