Offshore Wind Developer Gets DNV Concept Certification for Floating Foundation Design
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
BayWa r.e. has received concept certification from DNV for its BayFloat floating wind semi-submersible concrete substructure and mooring system design. The design was validated using the 22 MW generic reference turbine “IEA-22-280-RWT”
These three introductory paragraphs give a few more details.
The certification process was conducted in accordance with DNV-SE-0422:2021-09 “Certification of floating wind turbines” scheme, including DNV-ST-0119:2021-06 “Floating wind turbine structures” as the governing standard, BayWa r.e. says.
The assessment concluded that the BayFloat concrete floating substructure, including the mooring system design, is feasible for further development and qualifies for DNV concept-level certification.
BayWa r.e. collaborated with the engineering company Ramboll on the design and certification process, with Ramboll providing design services, expert insights and engineering advice.
Note.
- Certification must be a good thing.
- If you are unfamiliar with DNV, then their Wikipedia entry, is a good place to start.
- As I was doing the calculations for a floating oil platform in the 1970s, I don’t see why floating wind turbines won’t work!
- Especially, as floating wind turbines, seem to have a higher capacity factor than fixed.
- Concrete also worked for oil and gas platforms, so why won’t it work for wind?
In fact I quite like this design.
These are some other thoughts and information.
The Buchan Wind Farm
Baywa r.e. are also developing the 960MW Buchan floating wind farm about 75 km North-East of Fraserburgh.
The Buchan Wind Farm web site says this about the technology to be used.
The project has identified BW Ideol’s patented Damping Pool® floating substructure as its preferred foundation option, with BW Ideol working actively to establish a manufacturing centre at the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility being developed at the former oil and gas fabrication yard on the Moray Firth.
Perhaps, Baywa r.e. are seeing if they can do better.
The Original Article
The original article also links to several designs of floating wind float design, so it is well worth a full read.
But then, each have their advantages in materials used, ease of construction, methods of assembly, ease of tow-out and erection and most importantly; cost!
The Anonymous Widower 