The Dutch-German transmission system operator (TSO), TenneT, has positioned a number of synthetic reefs on the Hollandse Kust West Alpha offshore transformer platform within the Dutch North Sea.
The platform will join the Ecowende consortium (Shell/Eneco) wind farm to the high-voltage grid.
In collaboration with Equans/Smulders, TenneT positioned two kinds of synthetic reefs close to the offshore substation jacket to search out out which type works greatest.
The unreal reefs are a part of a collection of ecological measures by TenneT to observe and encourage nature round offshore wind farms.
Connected to at least one body are six so-called reef cubes. These are hole sq. blocks fabricated from nature-friendly recycled materials with spherical holes within the partitions, mentioned TenneT.
On the opposite metal body are six reef balls, an analogous construction however within the form of a ball.
“The aim of the trial is to analyze which form – ball or dice – works greatest within the waters off our coast. The hollows present safety for younger fish, however are additionally meant to extend the construction’s bonding floor. On this manner, we hope to offer an appropriate place for quite a few different animal and plant species along with juvenile fish, crabs and lobsters,” mentioned Annemiek Hermans, marine biologist at TenneT.
“These synthetic reef buildings are supposed to stimulate marine life. With these, you create potential spots the place coral and algae settle. Earlier analysis reveals that fish, crabs and lobsters like to go to these spots for shelter and to search for meals.”
In accordance with Hermans, seen variations should not anticipated for one more three years or so.
“Till then, we monitor yearly whether or not the range of life kinds across the synthetic reefs and fish accommodations will increase,” Hermans mentioned.
The topside for TenneT’s Hollandse Kust West Alpha offshore substation was put in at its web site some 50 kilometres off the coast of Egmond aan Zee within the Netherlands in September.
A yr earlier, DEME’s vessel Orion put in the two,300-tonne jacket basis for the platform. The offshore substation can be absolutely commissioned in 2024 when it is going to be in a position to join 700 MW of offshore wind capability to the Dutch grid.
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