New Study Eyes Offshore Wind Farm Noise

 

The 400 MW Horns Rev 3 wind farm off the west coast of Denmark is expected to generate green power for some 450,000 households when fully operational. The project will contribute to the EU goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 – a key factor in the recent COP 21.

The Danish transmission operator Energinet.dk will take on installation of the substation for guiding the electricity into the onshore grid. The substation, scheduled for installation later in 2016, is to be positioned on a four-legged jacket that will be put in place by pile driving. This activity generates noise levels that potentially could have a negative impact on marine life. Experts from Lloyd’s Register’s leading risk integrity, compliance and specialist risk consulting services group will undertake a pre-construction investigation and determine the site specific underwater sound propagation for the substation.

The Consulting business of Lloyd’s Register will dispatch highly experienced acousticians to determine the site specific sound propagation. The team will deploy an airgun to trace an acoustic signal in proximity of the wind farm to determine the sound propagation. Energinet.dk can then integrate the captured data in the project execution, making sure that the noise impacting on the nearby marine environment is considered and that mitigation measures are put in place should this be needed.

The investigation by Lloyd’s Register will adhere to the guidelines recently implemented by the Danish Energy Agency for Horns Rev 3 addressing the underwater noise impact from construction of offshore wind farms.

The first turbines at Horns Rev 3 are expected to be connected in 2017.