An Iberdrola Engineering & Construction-led team, which includes the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, has demonstrated a new design of floating turbine called a tension leg platform (TLP).
A 1:36 scale model of the TLPWind project was tested at the University of Strathclyde, simulating conditions expected to be experienced off the northeast coast of Scotland.
The tests replicated up to 16-metre waves and 49m a second wind gusts, the partners said.
ORE Catapult levelised cost of energy analysis for the design, based on a 500MW offshore wind farm in UK waters, estimated a price of £95/MWh could be achieved by 2025.
If the TPLWind project uses larger turbines costs could be as low as £88/MWh by 2030 and potentially as low as £64/MWh by 2050, the ORE analysis estimated.
The next step is to ready the design for a full commercial test, the partners said.
ORE Catapult investment & financial analyst Gavin Smart said: “Floating wind is likely to be an extremely important technology as we aim to drive down the overall cost of renewable energy.
“TLPWind is a novel solution that could unlock the potential in deeper water sites than we can currently access, while delivering a platform for growth.”
Image: ORE Catapult
Iberdrola floater aces test
TLPWind project successfully demonstrated at Strathclyde University
By EBS