Floating wind turbine: game changer for the energy industry?
Irish company Gazelle Wind Power has developed a platform that can turn any wind turbine into a floating wind turbine. This is primarily intended to save resources.
The expansion of renewable energies is progressing. According to current figures, more wind turbines are going back online in Germany. In addition to the plants on land, wind farms on the high seas are also playing an increasingly important role. Because the wind blows almost continuously there. At the same time, the operators use space that is already empty.
The company also has the potential for optimization in this area Gazelle Wind Power recognized. The Irish manufacturer has been developing platforms on which wind farm operators can set up their wind turbines for some time. Gazelle Wind Power is currently testing the third generation of the in-house development in Portugal.
This platform turns every wind turbine into a floating wind turbine
With each new version of the platform, the company focused on different areas. While the first generation was designed for stormy conditions on the high seas, the second version focused on the industrialization and scaling of the system.
The third version brings all the advantages obtained previously and pays special attention to the installation and manufacturing costs. The platform now uses significantly less steel and enables series production. If operators rely on the platform instead of conventional structures, there is a savings potential of 71,000 tons of steel per gigawatt.
Only two ropes hold the construction to the seabed
This is mainly possible because the system mainly floats on the water and is only anchored to the seabed by two lines. A weight in the middle of the platform sets the center of gravity at this point and guarantees optimum stability even in rough conditions.
In the long term, this creates a real alternative to previous systems, and the environment also benefits from the reduced use of materials. So it should only be a matter of time before we see the system in more practical use.
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