BW Ideol has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hitachi ABB Power Grids for an industry-first collaboration on developing scalable floating substations.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids will provide modular, scalable, compact substation packages for installation on BW Ideol’s shallow-draft floating platforms.
Both companies have worked closely together for several years to co-create a standardized and modular solution that addresses market requirements and the unique demands of operating in the most challenging environmental and seabed conditions.
BW Ideol chief executive Paul de la Guérivière said: “We are accelerating the delivery of a market-ready floating substation offering and solution via this unique collaboration.
“It brings together two market and technology leaders to create a standardized and scalable solution for all floating offshore wind power requirements.
“Supported by the solid offshore experience of our strategic investor BW Offshore, the collaboration will be able to deliver fully integrated technical and financial solutions.”
Hitachi ABB Power Grids head of renewables Alfredo Parres said: “We are delighted to be partnering BW Ideol to provide a single solution that helps offshore wind power developers and independent power producers enter deeper waters.
“Our pioneering modular, scalable substations use proven technologies to make possible this leap into floating renewable energy.”
With BW Ideol’s unique shallow draft solution, the floating substations will also be able to be implemented with bottom-fixed wind farms to mitigate challenging seabed conditions and/or challenging offshore installation operations.
The substations will comprise transformers, switchgear and other high-voltage products specially developed by Hitachi ABB Power Grids for floating offshore platforms.