RWE to trial vibro installation method at German offshore wind project

German energy group RWE AG (ETR:RWE) will trial at its Kaskasi site a vibratory pile driving method for installing offshore wind foundations, which it says, could significantly reduce underwater noise and shorten installations times.

The new method is the subject of research funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy. The 28-month research project is a cooperation between RWE Renewables, itap GmbH, BioConsult SH GmbH & Co. KG, the University of Stuttgart and Technische Universitat Berlin, coordinated by RWE.

The innovative technique will be used at RWE's 342-MW Kaskasi II offshore wind farm, which will start being built this year off the German island of Heligoland.

In this method, wind farm foundations are driven into the seabed by means of vertical vibrations, rather than being hammered with the individual blows of a hydraulic hammer. It is seen as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional technology, eliminating the need for additional noise-reducing measures.

The research project should be completed by early 2023. It follows research under laboratory and onshore conditions.

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