DeepOcean Puts Echoscope to Work at Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm

DeepOcean has deployed Coda Octopus’ Echoscope real-time 3D sonar system on DONG Energy’s Race Bank offshore wind farm project in the UK.

The Echoscope was used for a number of tasks including live cable touch-down monitoring and position recording, monitoring of first and second end pull-ins, cable-cut marking and survey of the as-laid inter-array cables, Coda Octopus said.

The Echoscope is a real-time 3D volumetric imaging and mapping sonar, which generates 3D images instantly on the topsides software, Underwater Survey Explorer (USE). When coupled with an accurate RTK position and attitude sensor the Echoscope can also be used as a hydrographic survey and mapping tool, providing instant bathymetric data without the requirement for post-processing, the company said.

Following completion of the first phase of the Race Bank project, the team re-deployed to the second phase of Race Bank where the same set-up was used. The Echoscope was utilised on a range of additional tasks which included providing cable cut-marker positions, as-laid cable surveys, structure and scour protection inspection, monitoring the quadrant during laydown, omega scan and correction and producing 3D volume rendered mapping of the as-laid cable.

Blair Cunningham, Coda Octopus President of Technology, said: ”Offshore Wind projects rely on innovative technology to reduce the installation costs and deliver renewable energy at a competitive price for the consumer. DeepOcean’s successful use of the Echoscope® on the Race Bank and Bligh Bank projects has shown the versatility and wide range of tasks which can be completed with a single system, reducing reliance on ROVs, generating planning certainty and reducing cost for the project.”

Earlier this month, DeepOcean completed the installation and burial of all 91 inter-array cables at the 573MW Race Bank wind farm off North Norfolk.

The wind farm, being built out of DONG Energy’s construction base in the Grimsby Fish Docks, will comprise 91 Siemens 6MW turbines and is expected to be fully commissioned in 2018.