Creation Covenant Alliance

IQIP’s EQ-Piling Prepared for Initial Offshore Monopile Installation at EnBW’s Dreekant

IQIP, EnBW, and Vattenfall to trial EQ-Piling tech at Dreekant wind farm, aiming for lower noise and smoother energy.

IQIP, collaborating with EnBW and Vattenfall, is set to execute the first large-scale offshore installation of its EQ-Piling technology at the Dreekant offshore wind farm in Germany.

Photo source: IQIP

The demonstration monopile will be installed by DEME using its vessel Orion. The offshore campaign is anticipated to commence next month, pending final permits.

This installation represents a significant step toward commercializing EQ-Piling, according to IQIP, following prior testing at Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam.

IQIP claims its new method builds on decades of experience with conventional hammers and noise reduction strategies. It involves lifting a water-filled tank, holding up to 1,700 tonnes of seawater, with hydraulic cylinders and releasing it from a specific height. The tank hits buffer cylinders, transferring force to the monopile and extending the impact duration by 15 to 20 times longer than traditional methods, resulting in smoother energy transfer and significantly reduced noise levels.

EnBW is facilitating the full-scale trial at its Dreekant site to support new foundation technologies. Vattenfall, also a consortium partner, will access data from the installation to evaluate the system for upcoming projects.

The partners say the offshore demonstration will assess EQ-Piling’s ability to meet industry standards for accuracy, noise limits, and efficiency, while offering a scalable, lower-impact alternative to traditional methods.

Post-trial, the technology is expected to be ready for deployment in new offshore wind projects.

EnBW secured development rights for the 1 GW Dreekant offshore wind farm in the N-12.3 area, 120 kilometers northwest of Heligoland, in June 2024.

The developer plans to file an approval application in 2027, with a final investment decision expected in 2029. The wind farm is scheduled to be operational by 2032.