Danish wind turbine maker Vestas has signed and agreement with WindPlus for the deployment of the first offshore project integrating a wind turbine with a full-scale semi-submersible floating structure. Vestas will deliver, install and commission a V80-2.0MW wind turbine off the Portuguese coast. Delivery is scheduled for later 2010.
In its WindFloat pioneer project, WindPlus, a joint-venture company led by the EDP Group, uses Principle Power's patented WindFloat, a semi-submersible floating structure for offshore wind turbines with innovative features such as damped wave and turbine induced motion, which enable the operation of wind turbines in previously inaccessible locations where water depth is over 50m.
The system will be tested for at least 12 months, during which time performance, validation of the WindFloat and turbine control optimization will be carried out as well as commissioning/decommissioning, maintenance and operation studies will be conducted.
