The Hyd’Occ project, developed by Qair, an independent renewable energy producer, and AREC Occitanie, the regional energy transition agency, aims to produce large-scale green hydrogen within the port area of Port-La-Nouvelle.
The first phase of the Hyd’Occ production unit with a capacity of 20 MW and an annual production of 2,700 tonnes of renewable hydrogen, will be commissioned by the end of the year and will distribute hydrogen to stations in Occitanie, starting with the one in Béziers. This first phase will prevent the emission of 27,000 tonnes of CO2 per year into the atmosphere. This is a key contribution to the transition and decarbonisation of the road transport industry.
Located in a port environment combining industrial, logistics and residential areas, the site presented major acoustic challenges. Significant noise sources – compressors, electrolysers, cooling systems – operate continuously, 24 hours a day.
The goal was to ensure the project’s acoustic compliance with ICPE (Environmental Protection Classified Installations) regulations, while preserving the acoustic comfort of nearby residents and ensuring seamless integration within its port surroundings
Given the constraints of a 24/7 operating industrial site, we carried out a comprehensive environmental acoustic impact study based on a 3D modeling of the site and its port environment.
Our mission included:
- Characterizing existing residual noise through day and night measurements,
- Simulating noise levels emitted by all major equipment (electrolysers, compressors, chillers, dry coolers, pumps, transformers),
- Verifying regulatory compliance with the decree of January 23, 1997, relating to ICPE regulations.
We proposed targeted noise mitigation solutions for each area, such as:
- Acoustic insulation of technical buildings,
- Installation of absorptive walls and baffles above compressors,
- Treatment of ventilation openings using acoustic grilles,
- Protective barriers around cooling areas,
- Vibration isolation of sensitive equipment.
These recommendations ensure full compliance with regulations while minimizing noise disturbance for nearby residents and port users.
With our support, the Hyd’Occ project successfully validated its acoustic design and achieved ICPE regulatory compliance before the start of construction.
Our acoustic simulations optimized the layout of the noisiest equipment and confirmed compliance with the 70 dB(A) daytime and 60 dB(A) nighttime limits, ensuring controlled noise levels for the surrounding area.
By anticipating acoustic risks from the design stage, Delhom Acoustics helped make Hyd’Occ an exemplary project in industrial and environmental acoustics, supporting the region’s energy transition.
