According to a recent study by the UK’s Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) floating foundations have the potential to deliver a reduced cost of energy in water depths of 50 metres or more. If you want to know more about pilot wind farm projects such as Hywind, WindFloat Atlantic and FloatGen, and the potential of floating wind farms reaching full-scale commercialization in the future, download the full article for free here: http://bit.ly/Presentation_FloatingFuture

1. Are Floating Foundations the Future of
Offshore Wind?
Drivers and Prototypes
Report

2. Arguably the biggest challenge for the offshore wind industry is cost; or more specifical-
ly, the cost of energy. While we know that there is abundant energy resource in the seas
and oceans surrounding Europe, producing electricity from these resources in a cost
effective manner is the ultimate goal in the global attempt to reduce carbon emissions.
In this respect the offshore wind industry looks at every aspect of design, construction,
installation, and operation and maintenance of wind farms, with the aim of reducing
costs wherever possible. One of the largest costs involved is the transportation and in-
stallation of foundations for offshore wind turbines, with offshore installation work par-
ticularly expensive due to the ships and equipment required, along with the adverse
weather conditions and difficult working environments. Floating offshore wind turbine
foundations have been highlighted in recent years as a solution to the problem, and
development and innovation in the area is gathering pace as prototype turbines and
pilot wind farms are starting to be deployed across Europe and other parts of the world.
Drivers for Floating Foundations
A recent study by the UK’s Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has inferred that technol-
ogy and supply chain development providea clear and credible trajectory to deliver-
ing commercial offshore wind farms. The report goes on to state that floating wind has
the potential to deliver a levelised cost of energy of £85/MWh from the mid 2020’s.
The study which was written by Stuart Bradley, the strategy manager for offshore re-
newables for ETI, also highlights that while fixed foundations will be the primary solution
in water depths of less than 30 metres, floating foundations can provide the lowest cost
solution in water depths of 50 metres or more. Other findings of the project are that, en-
couraging the development and deployment of floating offshore wind platforms is a
key strategic issue for the UK; and that full-scale technology demonstration and imple-
mentation requires major investment and the availability of suitable test sites.
The project also warns that for floating wind farms to start deployment at scale from the
mid 2020’s, demonstration projects must be initiated by 2020.
Prototypes and Pilot Wind Farms
There have been several floating foundation designs and concepts introduced in re-
cent years, with the most successful demonstrator projects now leading to pilot wind
farms to assess the effectiveness and economic viability of floating foundations.