First floating wind turbine buoyed off Norway

Development of offshore wind farms has been restricted to places where turbines can be attached to the sea bed.

But earlier this week, Siemens and energy company StatoilHydro installed what they call the first large-scale floating turbine. The installation is off the coast of Norway, and testing is expected to last for two years.

The Hywind turbine will still have a ballast that is tied to the sea floor with cables. Wires will transfer the electricity produced to the mainland grid starting in July.

A Hywind floating wind turbine being hauled to sea off Norway.

(Credit: Siemens)

If successful, the project could open up offshore wind to countries that don't have relatively shallow waters of 100 feet to 165 feet off their coasts. The Hywind is suitable for depths of about 400 feet to more than 2,200 feet.

"Hywind could open...new opportunities for exploitation of offshore wind power, as the turbines could be placed much more freely than before," Henrik Stiesdal, chief technology of the Siemens' Wind Power business unit, said in a statement.

The turbine in Norway will be 7.4 miles offshore where the water is 721 feet deep. It will be utility-size turbine, with a hub height of about 100 feet, capable of generating 2.3 megawatts of electricity.

To address the conditions of the deep sea, the turbine will have a specially designed control system that will seek to dampen the motion from waves.

[Perry_Clease]

As an Old Salt I would say that the wind turbines are "moored" and not "bouyed," but I and the land lubbers get your point.

[Michichael]

I'm not even sea-worthy and I know the difference between mooring and buoying ...

[Perry_Clease]

"by Michichael June 12, 2009 9:14 AM PDT
I'm not even sea-worthy and I know the difference between mooring and buoying ..."

I am sure that this old Chief Quartermaster could quickly get you sea-worthy :)

[BenFlavoredCandy]

This seems like it could also alleviate some of the habitat disturbance complaints that often accompany off-shore wind farms. I wonder if this system could eventually be a more viable option in shallower waters, too.

[HeavyJim]

Just think, they could put some of these off of Martha's Vineyard and Teddy Kennedy could have his workers pump fuel filled bilge water from his boat around them. Keep them lubed and rust free.