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Construction noise monitoring in the Ecowende HKW wind farm Part 1: Measured sound levels

Report

Title: Construction noise monitoring in the Ecowende HKW wind farm Part 1: Measured sound levels
Author:
Beelen, S.
Publication Date:
Document Number:
WP1297_3-R60r3
Pages:
37
Affiliation
WaterProof Marine Consultancy & Services BV.
Sponsoring Organization:
Ecowende
Technology:
Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind
Stressor:
Noise
Receptor:
Marine Mammals
Language:
English

Document Access

Website:
External Link
Attachment: Access File (19 MB)

Citation

Beelen, S. (2026). Construction noise monitoring in the Ecowende HKW wind farm Part 1: Measured sound levels (Report No. WP1297_3-R60r3). Report by WaterProof Marine Consultancy & Services BV.. Report for Ecowende.
@techreport{Beelen-2026-,
author = {Beelen, S},
title = {Construction noise monitoring in the Ecowende HKW wind farm Part 1: Measured sound levels},
institution = {WaterProof Marine Consultancy & Services BV.},
year = {2026},
month = {oct},
number = {WP1297_3-R60r3},
url = {https://ecowende.nl/en/kennis/results-noise-monitoring-during-construction-of-ecowende-wind-farm/},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Noise, Marine Mammals},
}
Export Citation to BibTex
TY - RPRT
TI - Construction noise monitoring in the Ecowende HKW wind farm Part 1: Measured sound levels
AU - Beelen, S
AB - Pile driving can be one of the biggest sources of underwater noise during offshore wind construction. But how loud is it in practice, and how effective are noise mitigation measures? At Ecowende, we measured it.Of the 52 monopiles installed by main contractor Van Oord, six were installed using innovative techniques: three with CAPE Holland’s vibro hammer and three using a combination of vibro driving and jetting with GBM’s Vibrojet®. Alongside conventional impact piling with noise mitigation measures, WaterProof extensively measured sound levels from a few metres up to 5 km from the pile.What's in the report?Processed sound-level data for impact piling, vibro driving and Vibrojet® drivingProcessed sound-level data for various noise mitigation scenario's including a bubble curtains, the Hydro Sound Damper (HSD) net, and a combination of bothInsights into the tonal character of vibro driving and the effect of jetting on the sound spectrumThis is Part 1 of 2. The second report will provide an in-depth interpretation of the results, including the effectiveness of noise mitigation measures and implications for the Dutch framework for assessing underwater noise impacts (KEC).
DA - 2026/10//
PY - 2026
SP - 37
PB - WaterProof Marine Consultancy & Services BV.
SN - WP1297_3-R60r3
UR - https://ecowende.nl/en/kennis/results-noise-monitoring-during-construction-of-ecowende-wind-farm/
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Noise
KW - Marine Mammals
ER -
Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

Pile driving can be one of the biggest sources of underwater noise during offshore wind construction. But how loud is it in practice, and how effective are noise mitigation measures? At Ecowende, we measured it.

Of the 52 monopiles installed by main contractor Van Oord, six were installed using innovative techniques: three with CAPE Holland’s vibro hammer and three using a combination of vibro driving and jetting with GBM’s Vibrojet®. Alongside conventional impact piling with noise mitigation measures, WaterProof extensively measured sound levels from a few metres up to 5 km from the pile.

What's in the report?

  • Processed sound-level data for impact piling, vibro driving and Vibrojet® driving
  • Processed sound-level data for various noise mitigation scenario's including a bubble curtains, the Hydro Sound Damper (HSD) net, and a combination of both
  • Insights into the tonal character of vibro driving and the effect of jetting on the sound spectrum

This is Part 1 of 2. The second report will provide an in-depth interpretation of the results, including the effectiveness of noise mitigation measures and implications for the Dutch framework for assessing underwater noise impacts (KEC).