Opportunities and challenges in floating wind Eirik Byklum – 27 November 2012
Jan 23, 2016
Opportunities and challenges in floating windEirik Byklum – 27 November 2012
Foundations for floating wind
Spar buoys
•From 100 m water depth
•Hywind Demo (2009)
Semi-submersibles
•From 40 m water depth
•WindFloat Demo (2011)
Tension leg floaters
•From 60 m water depth
•Scale test under planning
Classification: Internal 2012-03-132
Installation
Bottom-fixed foundations
•Offshore installation of foundation
•Offshore installation of WTG
•Offshore commisioning
Floating foundations
•Inshore assembly
•Tow-out of complete unit
•Large part of commisioning onshore
Classification: Internal 2012-03-133
Environment
Bottom-fixed foundations
•Piling noise during installation
•Often in sight from land
•Larger seabed footprint
Floating foundations
•No piling needed
•Can be placed out of sight
•Smaller seabed footpring
Classification: Internal 2012-03-134
Fabrication and technology
Bottom-fixed foundations
•Adaption needed for each unit
•Proven technology
Floating foundations
•Standardized, mass production
•Less mature technology, need pilots
Classification: Internal 2012-03-135
Cost reduction pathway
Main cost reduction areas for floating wind
Concept development
•Upscaling
•Design optimization
•Mooring systems
Cost-efficient fabrication
•Fabrication friendly design
•Efficient mass production
Assembly and installation
•Efficient installation vessels
•Onshore assembly
Conclusions
• Large offshore wind resources located in deep waters
• Floating wind has advantages in terms of fabrication, installation and environment
• Currently higher CAPEX, but cost-competitive in the future