Living alongside a busy motorway requires smart solutions. For the new Canvas Living development in Rotterdam, we designed custom-made façade grilles that let fresh air in while keeping traffic noise out. This creates a healthy and comfortable living environment right in the heart of the city.
Case study
± 3 min
Onshore connection of wind farm at sea
At Hollandse Kust Noord, Merford designed and installed custom-made acoustic solutions for TenneT’s onshore station, reducing low-frequency noise and supporting a quieter, cleaner energy transition.
The challenge was to reduce sound emissions significantly while maintaining full reliability and operational safety.
Balancing technology and the environment
As the Dutch national grid operator, TenneT plays a leading role in the energy transition. For the offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust Noord, the construction of an onshore station was essential to bring the generated wind power to land. However, the location was highly sensitive to environmental noise, making sound control a key requirement from the outset.
Although the station could technically operate without acoustic measures, doing so would have resulted in unacceptable noise levels in the surrounding area. The challenge was to reduce sound emissions significantly while maintaining full reliability and operational safety.
Focusing on the dominant 100Hz tone
Without effective measures, the transformers and reactors would have produced a distinct hum, mainly around the 100Hz frequency, generated by Lorentz forces in the transformer windings. Standard solutions proved insufficient for these low-frequency tones. Merford was therefore asked to design, manufacture and install custom-made acoustic systems precisely tuned to this frequency.
Working closely with TenneT, Arcadis and BAM Infra, we carried out detailed acoustic analyses and developed a solution combining proven engineering with project-specific innovation. The final design included:
- Transformer enclosures with MSK façade panels and SKS walkable roof panels, equipped with natural ventilation (no fans), doors, caged ladders, roof hatches and full integration with the earthing system.
- Reactor cells featuring aluminium SKA absorption cassettes tuned to 100Hz, mounted on concrete shielding walls, combined with demountable G14EP noise barriers and emergency doors.
All components were connected to the station’s grounding network. A team of experienced supervisors and technicians ensured safe and efficient installation within the planned timeframe.
Captured on site
Silence where it matters most
Sound level measurements confirmed that the station operates without contributing any additional noise to the environment. The transformer enclosures achieved a 12 dB reduction, while the reactor cells reached an absorption coefficient of 0,65 at 100Hz, precisely where it mattered most.
This project shows that technical complexity and environmental quality can go hand in hand. Through close collaboration between TenneT, Arcadis, BAM Infra and Merford, a quiet yet powerful step has been made towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy system.
Local residents were invited to visit the information centre to learn about the noise reduction solutions. Open communication helped create trust and understanding throughout the project.
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