Project Name:

Concept Foundation Design Noordoostpolder Nearshore Wind Farm

Country:

Netherlands

Client:

De Vries en van de Wiel and Kust & Oeverwerken

Year:

2010

Royal Haskoning prepared concept designs for two different monopile foundations for different depths of water for the Noordoostpolder Nearshore Wind Farm in the Netherlands. In total, 48 Wind turbines are planned to be installed in the Dutch IJsselmeer (largest lake in Western Europe).

Our commission consisted of geotechnical design and structural design of the steel monopiles. As the foundation is subject to cyclic loading from the wind turbine, the natural frequency of the structure and its fatigue life were considered during the design process.

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Project Name:

Strangford Lough - Geotechnical Investigation

Country:

Client:

Year:

Royal Haskoning was commissioned by Marine Current Turbines (MCT) to investigate the likely influence of variable seabed conditions on the structural integrity of the footings of their proposed jack-up platform ‘Resolution’ during the installation of the turbines in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland.

The size-distribution of seabed debris comprising loose boulders and cobbles in a matrix of gravel and sand was determined by visual inspection during detailed diving surveys, together with a range of potential crushing strengths for the upstanding rock erratics and bedrock outcrops. A number of possible bedding scenarios were evaluated by our geotechnical engineers in terms of their likely effect on footing integrity and overall platform stability.

It was concluded that although use of the platform without prior boulder removal was potentially feasible, before a definitive determination could be made on boulder crushability and platform performance, it would be necessary to obtain representative samples of the seabed debris for rock type determination and laboratory strength testing.

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Project Name:

Siadar Wave Breakwater Design

Country:

UK

Client:

UBC Group

Year:

2009-2010

Royal Haskoning were engaged as designers by UBC Group who were bidding for the civil engineering works for this project. The scope comprised a rock armour causeway and access bridge to a breakwater housing an array of chambers fitted with specialist generation plant. Royal Haskoning also provided valuable advice on temporary works design for the proposed breakwater and bridge construction works.

Following an initial submission, RWE engaged UBC to develop the concept design to a more detailed proposal stage. This principally took the form of a value engineering process aimed at reducing capital costs through innovative design and construction methods, and reduction of cost risk. A series of workshops were convened at which Royal Haskoning worked closely with UBC, RWE, Wavegen and other specialists. This allowed designs to be developed which succeeded in considerably reducing capital cost, and enhancing confidence in the project.

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Project Name:

Ramsey Sound - Wave Modelling

Country:

UK

Client:

Tidal Energy Ltd

Year:

2009

Royal Haskoning was commissioned by Tidal Energy Ltd, to carry out a numerical wave model study in Ramsey Sound off the Pembrokeshire coast. The aim of the project was to:

• predict extreme wave heights in order for the client to assess the stability of their tidal energy device on the sea bed;
• assess the stability of the landfall cable; and
• determine the risks due to weather for the purposes of evaluation costs during the construction phase.

This information enabled suitable anchorage to be designed for the 1.2MW DeltaStream device, as well as suitable protection for the sub-sea cable. The modelling of the wave conditions in Ramsey Sound was achieved by using our MIKE21 spectral wave model. Royal Haskoning was chosen because of our knowledge of the area and for having an existing model of the site. We have also assisted Tidal Energy Ltd with advice regarding renewable and planning consents.

In 2011, the project was given the go-ahead by the Government for a 12 month trial.

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Project Name:

Project Neptune – Site Selection and Support Structure

Country:

UK

Client:

Strachan & Henshaw / SSE

Year:

2004-2008

Royal Haskoning was commissioned to assist with the development of a horizontal axis tidal turbine.  

The scope included site selection and considered coastal processes, environmental impact, water current profile surveys and boreholes.  It also included the structural design to optimise the in-service power output performance, and construction and maintenance costs to generate maximum financial return.

Once a site had been selected, we developed a number of options for the support structure for a pair of turbines and the control room.  The preferred option was a large diameter monopile socketed into the bed rock. A geological/geotechnical desk study was carried out and advice was given on the procurement of a suitable site investigation.

To assist in identifying the ideal location with the available area of seabed, detailed coastal modelling was carried out to identify the current and wave climate. 

This information was used in the detailed design of the monopile, and also assisted the client in identifying the loads on the turbines.  Royal Haskoning also provided advice regarding installation and maintenance of the turbines and the support structure.

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Project Name:

Sheringham Shoal - Provision of Client Representative

Country:

UK

Client:

Scira Offshore Energy Limited

Year:

2006

The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind farm is located 12 km off the coast of North Norfolk and will consist of 88 no. 3.6 MW wind turbine generators (WTG). The advantages of this site are not only the high wind speeds and favourable water depths but also the relatively low fishing and shipping activities in the area.

After an initial geotechnical investigation in 2005, Royal Haskoning recommended a secondary phase of investigation to allow for a correlation to be made between borehole logs and geophysical data. Royal Haskoning determined the locations of suitable boreholes and, in 2006, provided a client representative on board a marine drilling barge for this ground investigation to provide technical direction and to administer the ground investigation contract.

The investigation consisted of five boreholes which were progressed using rotary openhole drilling. Sampling and testing consisted of cone penetration tests (CPT) and push sampling through sand, very stiff glacial deposits and chalk.

Royal Haskoning were contracted to represent the client in all discussions regarding technical aspects of the investigation, which included supervision, approval of equipment, inspection of samples, and scheduling of the laboratory testing.

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Project Name:

BritNed Interconnector

Country:

Client:

Year:

The BritNed Interconnector will be the first bi-directional electricity link between the UK and The Netherlands and will run from the Isle of Grain to Maasvlakte. This €600 million scheme is a joint venture between the UK’s National Grid and TenneT in the Netherlands and will create a permanent physical link to transport electricity between the two countries, via a 260km cable laid under the North Sea.

As well as ensuring a secure source of electricity, the Interconnector will open up the European energy market by increasing diversity of supply. Electricity can be transmitted in both directions, which will enable energy trading and allow countries to stabilise prices by more efficiently matching supply to demand.

Royal Haskoning was commissioned to oversee the design and layout of the converter facility at the Isle of Grain, and to ensure compliance with UK building regulations and other legislation. The Grain site also had specific challenges such as poor ground conditions, which Royal Haskoning was able to overcome using in-house expertise.

Royal Haskoning had to ensure the substructure was suitable to support the building footprint for the converter facility, which measures 150 metres long and 43 metres wide as well as housing six 240 tonne transformers. This was achieved using cast in-situ piling. The main steelwork was designed using 3D models to British Standards utilising European sections.

BritNed will become fully operational in 2011 and will be part of a new era of trans-European energy networks.