X1 Wind has laid the dynamic cable for its floating wind prototype in Spain which is now ready for final installation at the PLOCAN Test Site.
The Barcelona-headquartered firm has completed the dynamic cable lay for its X30 platform in the Canary Islands, having installed the modular concrete gravity anchoring system last spring.
X1 Wind’s team will now wait for a suitable weather window to complete the towing and hook-up of the prototype.
It is fitted with a specially adapted Vestas V29 turbine, originally designed for fixed foundations, using a full-converter supplied by ABB and the control has been optimized to floating conditions.
The 20kV dynamic cable, which is connected to the platform using an innovative connector supplied by Ditrel, enables the connection to PLOCAN’s smartgrid.
The prototype is also fitted with a turbine in a downwind configuration, enabling the structure to “weathervane” and orientate passively to maximise energy yields.
It drives greater structural efficiency with a light and flexible design, which further supports future mass production at lower cost, X1 Wind said.
The platform uses a Tension Leg Platform (TLP) mooring system which reduces the platform and cable dynamic motions, minimizes the footprint on the seabed, as well as allows its installation in deep waters, the technology developer added.
X1 Wind electrical engineering manager Adrian Oliva said: “The 20kV dynamic cable will allow us to fully validate the floater and wind turbine performance, feeding the electricity to PLOCAN’s smartgrid, as well as transmitting data through its fiber optic connection.
“All components have successfully been tested at port, and the prototype is now ready to be installed in the next suitable weather window.
“Once installed, we will be monitoring the platform in real-time with multiple sensors integrated in our in-house SCADA system.
“Our X30 platform is fully equipped with all the electrical systems that our commercial platforms will incorporate.”
A strong collaboration with international and local supply chain partners including Noatum Logistics, Hengtong, Trames, Ditrel Industrial, Electrimega, Partnerplast and Gateway, allowed for the successful installation of the dynamic cable, X1 Wind said.