Since the start of 2024, the world’s first energy island has been under construction in the Princess Elisabeth zone, 45 kilometers from the Belgian coast. The six-hectare “Princess Elisabeth Island” will serve as an energy hub from about 2030 and will provide a significant contribution to the sustainable energy supply in Europe. The island is being erected on a total of 23 caissons, which are being manufactured in the North Sea port Vlissingen in the Netherlands since this year by TM Edison, a joint venture of the Belgian companies DEME and Jan de Nul Group. Each caisson is approximately 60 meters long, 30 meters wide and 22 meters high. The Wacker Neuson battery-converter backpack ACBe and various high-frequency internal vibrators IRFU were used in the consolidation of these concrete elements.

Reliable consolidation performance around the clock

Wacker Neuson supports this construction site with its long-term expertise in the field of concrete consolidation. More than 120 powerful high-frequency internal vibrators IRFU are in use, ensuring consistently high and reliable consolidation during the days of work. “Each caisson is poured 24 hours a day over seven to eight days. During this period, it is necessary to continuously consolidate the concrete. We can completely rely on the high quality of advice from Wacker Neuson and the reliability of the products used in this project. Wacker Neuson has found very good solutions for all our technical challenges,” explains Matthias Liefooghe, Technical Superintendent Heavy Equipment, Jan de Nul/TM Edison. Lex van Leusden, Concrete Technology Account Manager at Wacker Neuson in the Netherlands, adds: “In projects like these, close and trustworthy collaboration with the customer is of particular importance. We are proud that we can contribute to the first energy island in the world with our know-how.”

Improved flexibility and safety

Wacker Neuson internal vibrators with an exchangeable battery as a backpack system are also used on this site. The battery-converter backpack ACBe makes it possible to work without a power cable, which means greater freedom of movement for the operator and a high level of operating comfort. The Battery One battery drives the ACBe: a powerful lithium-ion battery, which can be quickly and easily exchanged between the backpacks and further equipment. Liefooghe confirms: “If a battery is empty, it is simply replaced and you can continue to work at the push of a button. As a result, we can consolidate concrete around the clock.” Further benefits: No trip risks due to cables running along the ground or power cables in wet concrete, which significantly increases the level of safety on the construction site.

Support from concrete specialists

Concrete consolidation has a long tradition at Wacker Neuson as the company invented the internal vibrator in the 1930s. The specialists at Wacker Neuson Concrete Solutions are building on this long-term experience and using their expert knowledge to provide advice on complex concrete projects. Customers can rely on precise solutions and professional support on all things relating to concrete consolidation.

As a trailblazer, Wacker Neuson has already invested more than ten years into electrically powered products and markets them under the label of “zero emission.” Lex van Leusden adds: “We are proud to support the construction of the first energy island with our innovative technologies and our expertise. We have set ourselves the goal to accompany our customers as pioneers on the way to a more sustainable future.”