Balmoral, an industry-leading engineering firm, has recently introduced a groundbreaking product that promises to revolutionize the offshore wind industry. The HexDefence, a globally patented scour protection system, is designed to mitigate the effects of scour phenomena that cause seabed erosion and reduce the strength and stiffness of wind turbine foundations.
Typically, wind turbines are fitted with a layer of rock, concrete or geotextile fabric around the base to prevent sediment erosion, which can lead to turbine foundation instability and inter-array cable damage. However, these measures can be costly and time-consuming to install, and their carbon footprint can be significant.
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To address these challenges, Balmoral developed a non-invasive scour protection system that integrates seabed protection and flow reduction to minimize offshore operational costs and potential cable failure. The system, called Balmoral HexDefence, eliminates the need to dump rock and provides a lightweight, advanced composite construction with a streamlined installation method. This makes it easy to install without the need for additional vessels, resulting in an improved carbon footprint for all operations.
Fraser Milne, the company's engineering and projects director, believes that Balmoral HexDefence represents a significant step forward for scour protection. He says, “The interlocking panels are generally 10m long and custom-sized to fit varying monopile diameters and feature integrated lifting and access points. In simple terms, the installation process involves sinking the foundation, sleeving it with HexDefence, fitting the transition piece and assembling the pylon and blades.”
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Balmoral HexDefence can be retrofitted to existing monopile structures, making it an ideal solution for wind farm developers looking to enhance their turbine foundation protection. Milne adds, “We believe the system can save wind farm developers around 70% in installation costs when compared to traditional rock dumping methods.”
The HexDefence also has a positive impact on the environment, as it eliminates the need for quarrying and reduces vessel time during installation. The system is also compatible with anti-fouling coatings and does not require special equipment for end-of-life recovery.
Balmoral's commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in the development of the HexDefence system. Milne concludes, “We are proud to introduce a product that not only enhances turbine foundation protection but also reduces costs and improves the overall sustainability of offshore wind operations.”
