ETI project identifies potential for floating offshore wind turbines in deeper water

11/10/2010Offshore wind turbines could be sited in deeper water, closer to the shore off the UK coast to take advantage of stronger, more consistent wind speeds, according to the Energy Technologies Institute. Project Deepwater, a consortium led by Blue H with BAE Systems, the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (CEFAS), EDF, Romax Technology Ltd, SLP Energy and PAFA Consulting Engineers, was launched by the ETI in January 2009. It looked at the feasibility and costs of generating electricity using offshore wind turbines mounted on a floating, tension legged platform, in water between 70 and 300 metres deep.Existing offshore wind turbines are usually mounted on fixed structures that are unsuitable for use in deeper water. ETI Chief Executive Dr David Clarke said: “The traditional view is that the cost of offshore wind becomes increasingly more expensive as turbines are located in deeper water due to the additional costs of supporting traditional turbine structures. “The cost of foundations does get more expensive as you go into deeper water but the wind speeds in much of the UK deep water are significantly stronger and more consistent which results in a more reliable and higher energy output. Over time, this more than outweighs ...