Demonstrating offshore wind power in deep sea
Loaded with heavy mineral olivine to secure stability, StatoilHydro's floating wind turbine is now buoyed off the coast of Norway. These turbines could be the future of renewable energy.
FLOATING. Hywind tow floating windmill at sea in deep water (Photo: Kim Laland/StatoilHydro
Offshore wind farms might now be possible in countries that don't have waters shallow enough to house turbines attached to the seabed.
Idea realised
IN 2007, StatoilHydro launched the idea of building a wind farm floating in seas from 400 to more than 2,200 feet deep. In June the world's first full scale offshore floating wind turbine was towed to its destination off the coast of western Norway.
Floating; not travelling
StatoilHydro has made sure the Hywind turbine stays put. The turbin has heavy ballast and is tied to the sea floor with cables.The turbin itself weighs more than 5,000 tons.
Electricity transfer
Starting in July, electricity will be transfered from the 2.3 MW pilot turbine by wires to the mainland grid. The Norwegian energy company Haugaland Kraft will be responsible for the landfall.
Special needs
The ocean being a rough place, extra corrosion protection, lightning protection and servicing systems have been applied to the offshore turbine. Trials conducted in the ocean basin by Sintef Marintek in Trondheim, however, have shown that the offshore turbine can withstand very rough weather conditions.
DEEP WATER. Hywind tow from Åmøyfjorden to Karmøy (Photo: Øyvind Hagen/StatoilHydro)
Further reading
Hywind by StatoilHydro [www.statoilhydro.com]
Facts on Hywind
Hywind is located ten kilometres southwest of Karmøy
The test period will start in the autumn of 2009 and will last for two years
The pilot combines technology from both the Wind and Oil&Gas industry and draws upon expertise from StatoilHydro’s longstanding offshore experience
The windmill is built by Siemens. Technip builds the floating elements and will be in charge of the offshore installation. Nexans will install the cable to shore and Haugaland Kraft will be responsible for the landfall
The floating structure consists of a steel jacket filled with ballast. This floating element extends 100 metres beneath the surface and is fastened to the seabed by three anchor piles
Enova is supporting the project with 59 million NOK
