Electromagnetic Fields
The North Sea is filled with cables and pipelines. Offshore wind farms produce electromagnetic fields through their export and infield cables, with a potential impact on marine life. We measure the magnitude of these fields at sea and advise our clients on the minimisation of the effect on North Sea species.
Electromagnetic Field Measurements
We measure the electromagnetic fields generated by subsea power cables at offshore wind farms. Using our in-house developed sensors, we measure the field strengths of AC and DC power cables. These measurements are carried out using our custom-designed measuring sled, developed for transect measurements along the seabed.
We also deploy long-term measuring stations at cable landfall locations to monitor the EMF levels of export cables in real time. The collected data contributes to various studies investigating the potential effects of EMFs on marine life.
» Measurements of electromagnetic fields, e.g. transect measurements at sea, export cables, infield cables, AC cables, DC cables, etc.
» Long-term monitoring of electromagnetic fields, e.g. constructing real time measuring stations at landing points
Bekijk onze projecten over elektromagnetische velden
Impact of EMF and Underwater Sound on Harbour Porpoises
Export cables are used to connect offshore wind farms to onshore substations, from where the electricity is fed into the national power grid. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are generated around buried export cables as a result of the electrical current flowing through them. These EMF may potentially affect marine life. The magnitude of these fields and their potential impact are still largely unknown. We therefore work with several partners on different measurement and research projects to better understand and assess these effects. Research into the potential relationship between EMF and harbour porpoise presence within the Borssele offshore wind farm is one example.
Long-Term EMF Measurements
Around buried export cables connecting offshore wind farms to the mainland, electromagnetic fields (EMF) are generated by the electrical current flowing through the cables. These EMF may potentially affect marine life. The magnitude of these fields and their potential impact are largely unknown. To gain a better understanding of these fields, we developed an autonomous EMF measurement station capable of continuously measuring EMF with nanotesla-level accuracy.
Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Harbour Porpoises
The installed export cables that connect offshore wind farms to the mainland generate electromagnetic fields (EMF) due to the amount of electricity flowing through the cables. These EMF may potentially affect marine life in the immediate vicinity of the cables. To determine and better understand the potential effects of EMF on the acoustic activity of harbour porpoises, we work together with Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) and Witteveen+Bos on various measurement campaigns and analysis studies.
