Seabed Drilling Equipment for Voith Hy Tide 1-MW Tidal Turbineat EMEC

The task was to design, manufacture and operate underwater drilling equipment for large diameter drilling into the seabed rock, the BAUER Seabed Drill 3000 (BSD 3000). Calculations show that such a foundation concept can push the cost for the foundation structure of a tidal energy turbine where it is economically interesting for the developer.
Partners: BAUER Renewables Ltd. (BRL), together with the combined resources of the BAUER Group of companies, has extensive experience in design, manufacturing and operating drilling equipment. The University of Exeter (UoE) with its Hydrodynamics and Marine Operations Department and its focus on Renewable Energies contributes knowledge in Hydrodynamic Modelling for all aspects of the Seabed Drill and the operations. MojoMaritime Ltd. (Mojo) has extensive experience in planning and managing marine operations for all different concepts for the installation of tidal turbines. Voith Hydro Ocean Current Technologies is planning to install their 1 MW tidal turbine at EMEC in 2012. In 2010 the first attempt to install the monopile foundation for this turbine failed because it was not possible to set upjack up barges on this challenging site. After carefully evaluating all options it was decided to develop an economical and safe concept for the installation of a foundation structure - the installation of a monopile using seabed drilling equipment to be operated from a floating vessel.Performance and reliability of the specially designed equipment has been verified and its performance has been thoroughly monitored to receive important information for the optimization of the BSD 3000. All aspects of the installation of the monopile foundation structure were evaluated and assessed for a flawless and quick procedure. The influence of the operation on sea mammals was observed and special underwater noise measurements were taken for the benefit of the environment. The entire project was carried out successfully proving the suitability of the seabed drilling concept for commercial use in tidal energy.