WindFloat
Principle Power targets the rapidly maturing offshore wind sector by eliminating current deepwater limitations with an innovative solution. WindFloat, conceived by Marine Innovation & Technology and owned by Principle Power, is a floating support structure for large offshore wind turbines with a simple, elegant 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 50m and wind resources are superior. Further, economic efficiency is maximized by reducing the need for offshore operations during final assembly and commissioning. Multiple project proposals are being submitted for full-scale demonstration and utility-scale developments in the UK, Europe and United States.
Artist rendered animation of WindFloat fabrication, installation and operations.
Advantages
There are three advantages to the WindFloat foundation: first, its static and dynamic stability provides sufficiently low pitch and yaw performance enabling use of existing commercial wind turbine technology; second, its design and size allow for onshore assembly thereby eliminating the need expensive specialized vessels like jack up barges; third, its shallow draft allows for depth independent siting and wet tow to sites not visible from shore.
Stability
The WindFloat is fitted with patented horizontal water entrapment (heave) plates at the base of each column. The plates improve the motion performance of the system significantly due to additional damping and entrained water effects. This stability performance allows for the use of existing commercial wind turbine technology.
In addition, WindFloat’s superior stability is augmented by a closed-loop active ballast system. This additional ballast system mitigates mean wind-induced thrust forces, restoring the system to optimal efficiency following changes in wind velocity and direction.
Design
The design and size of the WindFloat enables the overall structure to be assembled onshore and towed to its final location. All fabrication and qualification is completed at quayside in a controlled environment. Subsequent commissioning cost savings are significant when compared with direct/fixed offshore wind turbine support structures.
Mooring System
The catenary mooring system employs conventional components such as chain and polyester lines to minimize the cost associated with the mooring system. Through the use of prelaid drag embedded anchors, site preparation and impact is minimized.
WindFloat Specifications
| Power rating | ≈ 3.6-10MW |
| Rotor diameter | ≈ 120-150m |
| Turbine hub height | ≈ 80-90 m |
| Turbine nacelle weight | ≈ 250-400 ton |
| Tower weight | ≈ 200-350 ton |
| Hull Weight | ≈ 1500-2000 ton |
| Total Displacement (w/ballast) | < 6000 ton |
| Hull Draft | ≈ 20 m |
| Operational Water Depth | > 50 m |
| Conventional mooring components (4-6 lines) | |
download the WindFloat brochure (2.75Mb PDF)
download a high-res image of WindFloat (3.3Mb JPG)
view an animation of the WindFloat (146.7Mb MOV, "right click+save as" for download)