Energy solutions provider Aggreko has supported Jaeger Maritime Solutions with the deployment of a bubble curtain deployment during construction of an offshore wind farm project off the coast of France.
Before driving the turbine’s piles into the seabed, a bubble curtain was required to absorb and disperse sound, safeguarding surrounding marine ecosystems from harmful noise levels and fine particles produced by underwater construction. Aggreko looked to its Greener Upgrades portfolio to supply a bespoke package of 18 Stage V 100% oil-free air compressors, along with a 60kVA Stage V generator to power the winch, positioned at the stern of the vessel.
The compressors were connected to hoses that delivered the volume and pressure needed to form the bubble curtain, minimizing harmful emissions from the process.
The Aggreko Remote Monitoring (ARM) service was also provided to enable real-time, offshore monitoring of the air compressor’s performance. With digitalization and data central to improving efficiency, reducing costs and lowering emissions, ARM is key to Aggreko’s service to deploy correctly sized and reliable solutions.
“Throughout the construction of offshore wind farms, protecting marine life is a top priority,” said David Baum, managing director at Jaeger Maritime Solutions. “We required a partner with proven project management expertise, who could not only supply 100% oil-free air compressors, but also manage the logistics and performance monitoring offshore.
“Aggreko delivered a solution that was both technically sound and environmentally conscious, with their team of expert engineers with us every step of the way.”
Oil-free air compressors eliminate the need for airborne oil and prevent the risk of contamination during critical construction activities. Aggreko’s range of 100% oil-free air compressors meet ISO 8573-1 Class 0 certification, ensuring the highest level of air purity required for sensitive applications like bubble curtains.
“This project was a great example of environmentally responsible offshore construction, and we remain committed to contributing to the continued development of renewable energy infrastructure in Europe,” said Michel Maaskant, renewable energy specialist at Aggreko.
“From the outset, we worked closely with Jaeger Maritime Solutions to shape a solution precisely around their requirements. The result was 18 Stage V 100% oil-free air compressors that meet the stringent ISO Class 0 certification. By adopting our remote monitoring service, we were also able to minimize fuel consumption and provide insightful data to help inform the business’s future projects.”
In related news, Viking Line has announced a significant increase in the company’s use of biofuel. Read the full story here
