Three companies have joined forces to bring a low-noise, low-carbon foundation installation method to open water for the first time, with the full-scale offshore deployment of EQ-Piling technology planned at the Dreekant offshore wind farm in German waters.

A Technology Milestone Years in the Making

IQIP, EnBW, and Vattenfall announced that EQ-Piling will be used for its first full-scale monopile installation offshore, building on an earlier inshore demonstration conducted at Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. That earlier test established a foundation for what the consortium describes as a critical step toward commercialization of the technology.

The installation will take place at the Dreekant offshore wind farm, a project owned and developed by EnBW in German waters. IQIP has contracted DEME to execute the installation, with DEME deploying its floating installation vessel Orion for the operation. The upcoming installation will mark the first time Orion has been used with EQ-Piling technology offshore.

The installation is planned to take place within the coming month, subject to the issuance of a final permit.

What EQ-Piling Does Differently

The central proposition of EQ-Piling is its ability to drive monopile foundations into the seabed while generating significantly reduced noise levels during the installation process. Current offshore wind foundation installation typically requires bubble curtains — large noise mitigation systems deployed around the pile during driving — to meet environmental noise regulations protecting marine life.

EQ-Piling aims to eliminate the need for these additional bubble curtains. According to IQIP CEO Robert Diepenbroek, removing that requirement also removes the vessels needed to support and operate those systems, directly reducing the carbon emissions associated with a foundation installation campaign.

"We will demonstrate that EQ-Piling lives up to its promise of being significantly quieter," Diepenbroek said. "We will enable a reduction in CO₂ emissions by removing the need for additional bubble curtains and the vessels that support them."

The technology is described by the consortium as an environmentally compliant, low-noise, low-carbon, and scalable alternative to current installation methods.

Partners and Their Respective Roles

The consortium structure assigns distinct roles to each party. EnBW, as owner and developer of the Dreekant site, is providing the physical location for the test installation and has engaged with relevant stakeholders to secure the required permits.

EnBW Vice President of Offshore Engineering Jörg Egbers described the company's involvement as consistent with more than 15 years of experience in wind energy and a wider commitment to technologies that minimize environmental impact while reducing costs.

Vattenfall's role as a consortium partner centers on receiving complete, first-hand, non-public data from the full-scale installation. That data access is intended to allow Vattenfall to assess the technology in detail for use in its upcoming offshore wind developments.

Cyril Moss, Executive Project Director for Nordlicht I and II at Vattenfall, said the collaboration reflects the company's approach to advancing offshore wind through European industrial capability and innovation, emphasizing that progress in new technology requires knowledgeable industry partners working together.

DEME's contribution extends beyond providing the vessel. Bas Nekeman, Business Unit Director Foundations Northern Europe at DEME, pointed to a history of collaboration with IQIP that includes earlier innovations such as the Hydrohammer IQ4, the deck-guided Noise Mitigation System, and PULSE technology.

Nekeman said the goal with Orion is to demonstrate that EQ-Piling can be handled as efficiently as established installation methods, noting that clients require foundations installed to target depth, within tolerances, in compliance with noise regulations, and on budget, with minimum risk.

EnBW's Commitment to the Test

EnBW's decision to host the demonstration at Dreekant reflects what the company characterizes as a broader strategy of supporting new technologies that align with sustainable energy infrastructure goals.

The company engaged stakeholders early in the process, specifically to ensure all required permits could be obtained ahead of the planned installation window. Egbers framed the test as part of EnBW's ongoing effort to shape Europe's energy transition by accelerating the move toward sustainable generation.

The Path to Commercial Deployment

Following the completion of the full-scale offshore installation, the consortium has indicated that EQ-Piling will be positioned for deployment in upcoming offshore wind projects. The offshore test is framed not merely as a proof of concept but as the final validation step before commercial application.

IQIP's Diepenbroek described the consortium as having strong confidence in both the technology's potential and its commercial prospects.

The ability to install foundations without supplementary noise mitigation infrastructure represents a meaningful operational simplification, and the environmental benefits of reduced underwater noise and lower vessel emissions are directly relevant to the regulatory and sustainability requirements facing offshore wind developers across European markets.

The announcement follows a period of growing momentum around noise reduction in offshore pile driving, as regulators in Germany and other North Sea nations maintain strict limits on underwater sound levels to protect marine mammals and other wildlife during construction activity.

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