With clever solutions from beginning to end of its lifetime, offshore floating wind can significantly reduce impact on nature
The conceptual idea behind WindBarge has been inspired by the inventor’s participation in technology qualification of offshore wind foundations together with several studies at NTNU and Norconsult.
Take a look at the technology making up the WindBarge:
Shipyard production and commissioning
The production of the WindBarge will utilize technical solutions and competence from the ship building industry of Norway. The original idea was to modify a simple barge, which resulted in a structure with large areas of flat and single curved steel plates. By basing the design on the well known barge-construction we can utilize decades of experience with design and production and incorporate this into the production of the Windbarge. This allows for the use of many already optimized solutions and production methods, reducing both time and cost
Quayside installation of the wind turbine
The WindBarge will have a low draft which allows the turbine installation to be carried out quayside. This gives the possibility to do the turbine installation at any place where there is a crane tall enough.
Design
The towing of the WindBarge with its turbine can be carried out with standard tugboats
The WindBarge will be towed integrated with its turbine to its wind farm location without the use of expensive installation vessels. No specialized vessels are needed. The anchor point, mooring line and electric cable will be installed prior to the installation. This single line mooring makes the installation process simple and fast. It also allows for simple detachment, tow-to-port maintenance, decommissioning and removal.
Smaller environmental footprint than any other offshore floating wind turbine
The WindBarge will have a minimal footprint at the sea bottom as only one anchor is needed. The installation process will have low noise levels, and the installation at the sea bed will have a significant reduced impact on the nearby sea life.
Barge inspired design
Single-line mooring
Low draft
Protected docking area
Cost-effective materials
Can be designed for commercial wind turbines at any size
The WindBarge will produce more energy due to its innovative design
The WindBarge utilizes the weathervane principle by means of a single line mooring and modification of the turbine’s yaw control. This unique feature can position the WindBarge favorably in the wind farm, which will reduce the influence from the upstream turbine’s wake. This will increase the total energy production of the wind park, in otherwise unfavorable wind directions.
Estimated increase in energy production is 3-5%, which corresponds to the energy consumption of 90-150 Norwegian households per turbine.
Protected docking area in the stern of the floater
The WindBarge will provide a sheltered area in the rear for access vessels. Although many floater designs have developed access platforms, the combination of weathervaning and a sheltered docking area is unique for the WindBarge, and will be attractive for operators that is targeting 2,5 meter (Hs) limiting wave heights for docking to the WindBarge.
Model tests has shown significant reduction of wave height in the docking area.
The WindBarge can be moved from one location to another during its lifetime
The single line solution and detachment solution allows for efficient tow-to-port maintenance. Large maintenance operations can be handled at a nearby shipyard.
Reduced OPEX
Due to its simplicity, easy access, and good possibilities for towing the WindBarge in for maintenance, the total operational costs will be relatively low.
The WindBarge will be easy to decommission
Simple removal of all components after the end of its lifetime
Recyclable parts contribute to a more circular consumption of materials