Deep_Water

Annex
WindFloat
Descriptions provided by the projects
Design name
Company
Manufacturer
Substructure
WindFloat
Principle Power, EDP, Repsol
Vestas
Semi-submersible
Turbine capacity 2 MW (prototype)
5-7 MW (commercial)
Prototype installed 2011, Portugal
Commercial installation 2017
Origin
Portugal
The WindFloat design consists of a semi-submersible
floater fitted with patented water entrapment (heave)
plates at the base of each column. The plate improves
the motion performance of the system significantly due
to damping and entrained water effects. This stability
performance allows for the use of existing commercial
wind turbine technology. In addition, WindFloat’s
closed loop hull trim system mitigates average wind
induced thrust forces. This secondary system ensures
optimal energy conversion efficiency following changes
in wind velocity and directions.
The mooring system employs conventional components
such as chain and polyester lines to minimise
cost and complexity. Through the use of pre-laid drag
embedded anchors, site preparation and impact is
minimised.
In 2011, WindFloat was installed off the Portuguese
coast. Equipped with a 2 MW Vestas wind turbine, the
installation started producing energy in 2012. The
next step will be to build a 27 MW array off Portugal,
with the support of the NER300 funding. Another 30
MW demonstration project is also planned off Oregon
in the Pacific Ocean.
42 Deep Water - The next step for offshore wind energy