StatoilHydro tests floating wind turbine off the coast of Norway
The Hywind concept opens up the possibility for the wind industry to capture wind energy within deepwater environments. Image sourced from StatoilHydroThe world’s first full-scale floating windmill is being tested by StatoilHydro off the coast of Norway.
The Hywind floating wind turbine is moored to the seabed ten kilometers southwest of Karmoy for a test period of two years. The test period will start in the autumn of 2009 and will last for two years.
The Hywind concept opens up the possibility for the wind industry to capture wind energy within deepwater environments.
The 2.3-MW turbine was towed into place on June 8, 2009. It consists of a steel jacket filled with ballast. It extends 100 meters beneath the surface and will be fastened to the seabed by three anchor piles.
The windmill itself is built by Siemens. Technip built the floating elements and will be in charge of the offshore installation. Nexans will install the cable to shore and Haugaland Kraft will be responsible for the landfall.
StatoilHydro is investing around NOK400 million in the construction and further development of the pilot, and in research and development related to the wind turbine concept. The public corporation Enova SF, whose aim is to promote the transition to environmentally-friendly energy use and energy production in Norway, has granted NOK59 million in support of the project.
- Katrice R. Jalbuena
Sources:
1 http://www.statoilhydro.com/en/TechnologyInnovation/NewEnergy/RenewablePowerProduction...
2 http://www.statoilhydro.com/en/Pages/default.aspx