Noise protection

Minimising noise for mammals - Research and application of minimisation measures when driving the FINO3 monopile

Universität Hannover, Institut für Statik und Dynamik
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Raimund Rolfes

In the summer of 2008 the third "Research platform in the North Sea and the Baltic" was established about 80 km west of Sylt. A monopile with a diameter of up to 4.75 m was driven roughly 30 m deep into the seabed. To minimise the impact on marine mammals the site was surrounded by a bubble curtain to reduce the waterborne sound radiated while driving. For this a nozzle tube was anchored on the seabed about 76 m from the pillar, into which compressed air was fed.

Test programme

Variation in the volume of compressed air with reduced driving energy (20% of maximum):

• all nine compressors operating (180 m³/min)
• five compressors operating (100 m³/min)
• all compressors switched off (0 m³/min)