Technology
Universal Foundation’s Mono Bucket is the latest generation foundation structure. The Mono Bucket is specifically designed for offshore wind turbine application, combining the key benefits of a gravity base foundation, a monopile and a suction bucket, and building on a legacy of more than 2,000 suction technology-based foundations from the oil and gas industry.
The Mono Bucket has proven its ability, having been successfully installed in a wide variety of site conditions, including sand, silt, clay and layered strata.
The Mono Bucket foundation is installed using a patented installation control system as the driving force. Lowering the pressure in the cavity between the foundation and the seabed generates water flow, which lowers resistance around the edge of the foundation’s skirt. This reduces resistance and allows seabed penetration.
The patented installation control system controls vertical alignment ensuring the foundation is installed well within prescribed tolerances, removing the need for a transition piece to adjust verticality.
The all-in-one steel structure consists of a multi-shell foundation with vertical stiffeners, a robust lid and a shaft for interfacing with a wind turbine, met. mast or other topside structure.
It does not require divers, in most cases does not require seabed preparation and there is also little or no need for scour protection. Installation is completely noise free and offers no risk to marine mammals, offshore installation crews or marine operators.
Looking ahead to decommissioning, the foundation can be removed for reuse or recycling by reversing the suction process. This involves applying water pressure into the foundation skirt so that it can be smoothly lifted from the seabed.