Pushing the boundaries of innovation
Lessons from the SIMOX Offshore Vibro-Installation Testing
The global shift toward sustainable energy demands bold innovation and close collaboration. Offshore wind plays a crucial role in the energy transition, and as wind turbines continue to become larger, so do the challenges associated with their installation. As we move toward larger and heavier monopiles, traditional installation methods, such as impact hammering, are increasingly limited by strict underwater noise regulations aimed at protecting marine life.
To overcome these challenges, the offshore wind industry is investing in quieter, more efficient solutions, and vibro-installation is one of the most promising. Within the GROW consortium, a joint industry research program, several companies and knowledge institutions are working together to accelerate innovation. GROW’s project, SIMOX, is dedicated to testing and comparing several new monopile installation techniques, including vibro-installation.
The SIMOX Project and a valuable setback
As part of the SIMOX project, a dedicated offshore test campaign was conducted in June 2023 using a vibratory installation tool. The main objective was to enhance noise prediction models for this innovative method by gathering real-world performance and acoustic data under controlled conditions. Unfortunately, the test did not go as planned. During installation, the monopile was damaged and had to be left behind.
While the test did not go as intended, it provided critical insights. What initially appeared to be a setback proved to be a valuable step in the learning process, enhancing our understanding of both the potential and the limitations of vibro-installation at sea.
Innovation rarely follows a straight path
The SIMOX consortium thoroughly analysed the incident and documented the results in a paper detailing the root cause, along with recommendations for the future. The analysis has led to a deeper understanding of the dynamic interaction between vibro tools and monopiles. Importantly, the conditions that led to the crack are unlikely to occur with full-size monopiles installed using tools with more than two clamps, the standard in commercial projects.
Vibro-installation remains a highly promising technique
It offers a quieter, potentially faster, and more environmentally friendly alternative to impact hammering. With lessons from SIMOX now shared and applied, the industry is better positioned to unlock its full potential.
Want to know more? The full paper on the incident and lessons learned is available here:
