March 10, 2025
Marie KerrelleAs global demand for renewable energy rises, offshore wind farms have become vital to the transition to a sustainable future. However, the construction of these farms presents significant environmental challenges, notably noise pollution. The piling operations required to install wind turbines produce intense underwater noise, which disrupts the marine ecosystem, particularly affecting whales and dolphins, species that rely on sound for navigation and communication.
Scientific studies have shown that excessive underwater noise can lead to disorientation, behavioral changes, and even physical harm in marine mammals. According to a report by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), anthropogenic noise in marine environments can cause chronic stress in cetaceans, potentially affecting reproductive success. During the installation of wind turbine pillars, which require four piles per turbine driven approximately 40 meters or about 131 feet into the seabed, around 3,000 blows are needed per pile. This creates sound levels dangerous to marine life, often exceeding 200 decibels, which can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss in species sensitive to acoustic changes.
Regulatory frameworks like the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) emphasize the need to assess and mitigate environmental risks before such construction projects commence. While these measures are crucial, additional efforts are required to ensure that renewable energy development does not compromise marine biodiversity.
Hitachi Global Air Power is working in partnership with customers to address this issue with innovative bubble curtain technology. This solution uses Hitachi Global Air Power compressors to create the air bubbles which form a protective curtain from the seabed. These curtains, made by pumping compressed air through perforated tubes, form a barrier of bubbles that rise to the surface, reducing underwater noise by up to 90%. This significantly lessens the harmful impact of piling operations on marine mammals.
Bubble curtains not only mitigate noise but also create safe passageways for migratory species, such as whales and dolphins, ensuring they are not disrupted during the construction of wind farms. By developing the compressed air technologies necessary and capable of working in these applications, Hitachi Global Air Power is helping to create a balance between the need for renewable energy development with the protection of marine life.
Moreover, bubble curtain technology is rapidly gaining adoption across major wind farm projects globally. From Europe to Asia, Hitachi Global Air Power has provided this solution in several high-profile projects, contributing to more sustainable wind energy practices while protecting marine ecosystems.
As the renewable energy sector continues to expand, technologies like the bubble curtain are essential to safeguarding marine environments while meeting global energy demands.
By updating proven technology in innovative ways, and through continued collaboration, Hitachi Global Air Power can find solutions to the most complex environmental challenges and support the creation of a more sustainable future.
For more insights into how bubble curtains and compressed air technology can support your environmental objectives, explore the following articles:
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