Ultrapure Water for Clean Marine Energies

HSE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Health, Safety and the Environment

Safety at work

The use of ultrapure water eliminates the risks associated with works such as scaffolding, blasting, coating or painting, possibly welding of anodes, in the confined space of ballast tanks and their associated hazards.

There is no need either to handle chemical products to treat the ballast water, avoiding hazards to the health and safety of the workers involved in the ballasting operations.

Environment protection

Equally importantly, ultrapure water eliminates the injection of harmful products such as the biocides, corrosion inhibitors and oxygen scavenger in the ballast water and thus the risks generated by spillage of treated water into the sea.

The same applies to dissolved sacrificial anodes which render the ballast water inappropriate for dumping into the sea and requires its disposal and treatment in case de-ballasting is needed.

On the other hand, ultrapure water may be dumped into the sea without any damage to the marine fauna or flora. It is like rainwater falling on the sea. Accordingly, even in case of an accident, or technical de-ballasting, ultrapure water will cause no harm to the environment.

IMO regulations

IMO Ballast Water Management Convention D2 new regulation will be enforced in 2024 and will require a Ballast Water Management System for each ship. This regulation is designed to minimize the transport and discharge of viable organisms and harmful microbes, and concerns mostly merchant ships. However, the floating wind turbines ballasted with seawater at quayside are transported offshore and could be subject to this IMO regulation in case of de-ballasting.

Sustainability

HANSEN MARINE ENERGIES fully SUPPORTS the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations have established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. Implementing an innovative solution for the ballasting of floating wind turbines using ultrapure water will contribute directly to several SDGs.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Floating wind turbines have the potential to harness the vast wind energy resources offshore, which are typically stronger and more consistent than onshore winds. By using ultrapure water as ballast, the floating wind turbines can even better contribute to the development of affordable, reliable, and clean energy.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The implementation of an innovative solution for ballasting floating wind turbines using ultrapure water demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing industry, innovation, and infrastructure. This can help to drive economic growth and create new jobs, while also promoting sustainable development

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – By using ultrapure water instead of traditional ballasting methods, the company is reducing its use of harmful chemicals and minimizing its impact on the environment. This helps to promote responsible consumption and production practices and support sustainable economic growth.
SDG 14: Life Below Water – The use of ultrapure water in ballasting reduces the amount of harmful substances released into the ocean, which helps to protect marine life and ecosystems. This supports the goal of conserving and sustainably using the world’s oceans, seas, and marine resources.

Overall, the implementation of an innovative solution for ballasting floating wind turbines using ultrapure water will have a positive impact on several of the key UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.