Installing monopiles for offshore wind farms demands precise real-time monitoring of inclination and position. Traditionally, during installation, a crane on the vessel lowers the foundations into the sea, and a hydraulic hammer drives the monopiles into the seabed. This method includes physically mounted bracketry and sensors, which can be costly and pose safety risks. Zupt developed VertiCAM, a contactless solution using an LiDAR-camera method, to address these challenges and install in-air, reducing costs and safety concerns.

By integrating LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), inertial measurement units (IMUs), and camera sensors, VertiCAM is a robust and redundant sensor package that provides highly accurate measurements at the offset to the structure of up to 50 meters. With real-time monitoring of monopile verticality throughout the installation process, any deviations from the desired attitude or position are immediately detected, allowing for corrections if necessary.

The Benefits of In-Air Monopile Installation

• Contactless Data Collection: Streamlining installation procedures, our solution eliminates the necessity for physical brackets and sensors attached to monopiles.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Achieve accuracy and precision with complete visibility into the verticality of your monopiles throughout the installation process.
• Enhanced Safety: Prioritize the safety of offshore operations by eliminating the risks associated with physical sensor installations.

Contact Zupt today to learn more about in-air monopile installation applications and how they can enhance your offshore operations.