The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued approval in principle (AiP) to the OO-STAR concrete semi-submersible floater from Bouygues Travaux Publics, a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction.
The platform can support wind turbines of more than 20MW in harsh offshore environments, according to the company.
This achievement is the first step in the company’s deployment in the US floating wind market as an EPCI (engineering, procurement, construction, installation) contractor with the OO-STAR concept.
The OO-STAR floater, which includes a mooring system and general outfitting, was designed according to a database of wind and metocean patterns, both for a test site in the North Sea and to accommodate a turbine of over 20MW.
The design also took account of constructability and installation constraints, a feature that is characteristic of Bouygues Travaux Publics’ approach.
This AiP confirms that the proposed semi-submersible solution is not only feasible, but also compliant with the requirements of ABS rules and standards, while validating the safety of the design, Bouygues Travaux Publics said.
It also proves the suitability of Bouygues Travaux Publics’ technology and engineering practices, it added.
Bertrand Burtschell, chief executive of Bouygues Travaux Publics, said: “The AiP issued by ABS is significant for us as it marks the first step in certifying a credible design, fit for construction and industrialisation.
“Calling on our recent experience of mass producing the 71 concrete gravity-based structures on the Fécamp wind farm, we are working hard on the design of lean and efficient production lines aimed at securing the delivery of OO-STAR floaters at an industrial scale and at a pace compatible with cost-efficient project execution plans.”
The approval also clears the path for further project certification through the rollout of a 1:1 scale prototype or a pre-commercial project.
Bouygues Travaux Publics is now well positioned to accelerate the commercialisation of this technology and to address the increasing worldwide demand for a lower installed cost for floating wind turbines through sustainable and efficient offshore wind energy solutions.