UK Researchers Tackle Landslide Risks for Offshore Wind Turbines with New Tool
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have developed an advanced simulation tool that accurately predicts underwater landslides caused by offshore wind turbines.The new method enables developers to assess seabed stability not only at the design stage but throughout a wind farm’s lifespan, helping to optimize placement and ensure long-term resilience.Underwater landslides - when sections of the seabed suddenly shift - can impact the stability of wind turbines, particularly in areas with soft seabeds and gentle slopes.While engineering structures like monopiles (the foundations of some offshore
Belgian Energy Island in North Sea Starts Taking Shape (Video)
electricity production and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.The project is therefore of major strategic importance and will be a key factor in Belgium’s electricity supply over the coming decades. In the longer term, the project also offers opportunities to integrate Belgium into a unified European electricity grid at sea. The Princess Elisabeth Island is one of the flagship projects of the Federal Development Plan for the Belgian high-voltage network, which was approved by the federal government in 2023.The construction of the island and the implementation of the already signed alternating
Nexans to Deliver Subsea Cables for Second Malta-Sicily Interconnector
Nexans has secured a contract by Interconnect Malta (ICM) to deliver high-voltage subsea cable for Malta’s second interconnector.The new high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) link will reinforce Malta’s electricity system, ensuring a stable and resilient energy supply.The cables for this project will be produced at Nexans’ facility in Charleston, United States.The 225 MW interconnector will operate at 220 kV and consists of subsea cable linking Maghtab, Malta, and Ragusa, Sicily. It will be installed in parallel with the existing interconnector, previously delivered by Nexans in
Van Oord Expands its Trencher Fleet
Dutch offshore installation firm Van Oord has introduced Jet-It as the latest unit to join its trencher fleet, following the completion of a test campaign in the North Sea.Building on the expertise gained from its previous trenchers, Dig-It and Deep Dig-It, Van Oord has developed another trencher dubbed Jet-It.With the addition of the latest unit, Van Oord now operates three trenchers, all designed for the purpose of cable burial.While Dig-It and Deep Dig-It feature mechanical cutting and jetting technology, the Jet-It is equipped with jetting technology only.According to Van Oord, it boasts an
Fugro Cuts More Jobs, Shifts Focus to Different Business Segments
Dutch geological data specialist Fugro it would cut more jobs and shift focus to different business segments after confirming a drop in first-quarter revenue on Thursday, hit by a pause in new U.S. offshore wind projects.The company also cited a highly volatile global market environment.Sales fell 11.1% to 450 million euros ($510.12 million) year-on-year in the first quarter, in line with a earnings warning it issued earlier this month."We expect ongoing impacts of these market uncertainties into the second quarter. Our immediate priority is the continued implementation of measures to safeguard
Fugro Cuts Jobs and Scales Back US Operations
Dutch geodata firm Fugro on Tuesday said it started reducing its U.S. workforce and scaling back operations there after warning its sales and earnings would miss earlier forecasts because of volatile markets and lack of new U.S offshore wind projects.The company, which provides geotechnical, survey, subsea and geosciences services, said it has already divested assets and cut more than 100 jobs in the United States because of deteriorating market environment, group CEO Mark Heine told reporters."The shift in the U.S. political landscape has led to a pause in new offshore wind projects. Furthermore
RWE Drops Bubble Curtain to Silence Construction Noise at Sofia Offshore Wind Farm
curtain, for offshore wind farm construction in the U.K.The deployment at the Sofia offshore wind farm, located 195km off the coast of England, represents a significant step in protecting marine life from underwater noise generated during piling activities.The bubble curtain, already adopted across Europe, reduces the propagation of underwater noise by creating a barrier of rising bubbles around the turbine installation site.By dampening sound waves, this technology mitigates disturbances to marine species such as harbour porpoises, dolphins, and whales, which rely on ultrasound for orientation.The
Aker Solutions Introduces Three Floating Wind Foundation Designs
Aker Solutions has unveiled three floating wind foundation designs – the YFloat, CONFloat-Omega, and CONFloat-7C – engineered to maximize energy production, simplify construction and reduce maintenance.All three have passive ballast systems and the capability of supporting turbines that are 15 MW and larger.The YFloat is an advanced steel floating substructure meticulously designed to provide a stable and efficient platform for wind turbines.The YFloat (Credit: Aker Solutions)Its symmetrical design facilitates efficient pre-fabrication with the option of local assembly, reducing
Trelleborg Launches Advanced Sealing System for Offshore Wind Foundations
Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure has launched advanced sealing system, IRIS, for Airtight Platforms (ATP), which has the potential to improve offshore wind foundation designs.The new seal eliminates the need for welded steel landing rings traditionally used in monopiles (MPs) and transition pieces (TPs), providing an effective solution to lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for offshore wind projects, a crucial metric for developers seeking to maximize their return on investment.Key advantages of the IRIS include significant reductions in costs associated with primary steel, welding, and engineeri
February 2025
