Stiesdal has kicked off production work for its new TetraSub floating foundation, designed for the world’s largest turbines.
The energy technology company made the announcement as it celebrated four years since the installation of its TetraSpar floating wind demonstrator at the Marine Energy Test Centre off the coast of Norway.
Installed in 2021 at a water depth of 200 metres, the TetraSpar demonstrator project is the world’s first full-scale demonstration of an industrialised offshore foundation. Since then, the 4MW prototype has delivered solid operational data, according to Stiesdal.
The project is being carried out in partnership between Shell, RWE, Tepco Renewable Power, and Stiesdal Offshore.
The new TetraSub (rendering pictured) is a semi-submersible variant of the Tetra concept best suited for the 50-200 metre depth range.
Stiesdal said that until 2030 it is expected that the largest part of the floating offshore market will be at relatively shallow water, with depths within the 50-200 metre range. The company expects the floating wind market to evolve initially as an extension of the fixed-bottom market, which typically has a maximum depth of between 50 and 60 metres.
As turbine developers begin to produce larger and more powerful units, Stiesdal said its Tetra concept can be scaled to a 20MW rating without any difficulties.