Windfloat Energy

WindFloat is a floating foundation for offshore wind turbines with a simple, economic and patented design. The innovative features of the WindFloat dampen wave and turbine induced motion, enabling wind turbines to be sited in previously inaccessible locations where water depth exceeds 40m and wind resources are superior. Further, economic efficiency is maximized by reducing the need for offshore heavy lift operations during final assembly deployment and commissioning.

Advantages

There are three primary advantages to the WindFloat foundation: first, its static and dynamic stability provides sufficiently low pitch performance enabling use of commercial offshore wind turbines; second, its design and fabrication methodology allow for onshore assembly of the complete system including the turbine; third, its shallow draft allows for depth independent siting and wet tow (fully assembled and commissioned) to installation site.

Stability

The WindFloat is fitted with patented water entrapment (heave) plates at the base of each column. The plates “entrain” water resulting in a large added-mass component and the sharp edges of the plates increase the viscous damping due to vortex shedding. In addition, The WindFloat’s patented hull-trim system (also known as active ballast) distributes water ballast between the three columns of the WindFloat to compensate for variable turbine thrust due to low frequency changes in wind velocity and direction. The system is closed-loop (no water moves in or out of the system), fail-safe, and comprises only a small fraction of the total WindFloat ballast water.

Fabrication

The design of the WindFloat enables the structure to be fully assembled onshore and towed to its final location. All fabrication and qualification is completed at quayside in a controlled environment. Deployment cost savings are significant when compared with bottom-fixed foundations such as monopile or jacket type structures which require offshore heavylift operations and significant vessel capabilities for installation.

Mooring System

The WindFloat’s conventional mooring system only includes components that are relatively inexpensive, readily available globally, and simple to install. The mooring configuration is similar to those on Oil and Gas platforms and permanently moored maritime structures. Drag embedment anchors permit installation in various soil conditions including mud, clay, sand and layered soils. Their installation is less weather-dependent than other alternatives, and installation does not require full geotechnical surveys of the sea bed prior to design. Further, the incremental cost increase, due to water depth, associated with a WindFloat mooring is minimal. This permits greater flexibility in site location and turbine placement to customers.