Moray base℗ concept
20 Years ago:
Bottom founded wind foundations were not based on offshore technology
Today:
-> Offshore alternative (Jackets) are still not widely applied
- Difficult production process
- Stress concentrations, fatigue prone
- Difficult integration of turbine mast load in 3 or 4 legs: Jackets were used for “deck” loads
-> Monopiles remain most used
- Development in production efficiency
- Easy installation
- Piles provides simple support of turbine
Monopiles are simple and robust, and allow mass production
Today: Floating wind options are offshore technology
-> Semi-submersible:
- Difficult production process
- Stress concentrations
- Difficult integration of turbine mast load in 3 or 4 legs
- Difficult transport from yard to farm
-> Spar:
- Limited waterline hence weight stability
- Extreme draught for very large turbines
- Up-ending process
- Turbine erection in extreme water depth (likely offshore - at project location)
- Difficult transport from yard to farm
Both solutions are not simple
There is an opportunity for a “monopile type” floating foundation (Simple & Robust)
Versions
Foundation concept is generic:
- Scale/sizing to be optimized for site and turbine
- Scantlings to be optimized for site and turbine
-> Smaller version is possible with active ballast system
Mooring system is site specific:
- Mooring concept (catenary/taught) mainly dependent of water depth
- Anchor types are mainly dependent of soil conditions
- Specification is mainly dependent of (prevailing) environmental loads
