Gazelle Wind Power Develops Breakthrough Floating Platform for 18 MW+ Turbines

Gazelle Wind Power has developed and tested what it describes as a breakthrough floating platform for wind turbines in extreme offshore conditions. Developed as part of work with a major Asian utility on a typhoon-prone site, the design can support 18 MW-plus turbines under severe wind, wave and current conditions. The company claims the design could deliver 44 percent lower capital expenditure and 52 percent lower levelised cost of energy than benchmark semi-submersible designs.

 

Details of the Design

 

Gazelle Wind Power has developed a new platform. It describes it as a breakthrough. It is a floating platform for turbines. It targets extreme offshore conditions. It has been developed and tested.

The design serves a specific project. It supports work with an Asian utility. This is a large floating wind development. The site is typhoon-prone. This shaped the design's requirements.

 

The Performance Claims

 

The design offers strong performance. Simulations show it can support large turbines. These are 18 MW-plus turbines. It handles severe conditions. These span wind, wave and current.

The design also promises cost savings. It could deliver 44 percent lower capex. It could also cut the cost of energy by 52 percent. This compares with benchmark designs. These are semi-submersible designs.

 

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The Cost Drivers

 

Several factors drive the cost reductions. The design has lower structural requirements. Mooring requirements are also reduced. It has a compact footprint. Modular steel construction contributes too.

The design also aids installation. It uses existing port infrastructure. It allows simpler installation. Tow-to-port maintenance is possible. This reduces reliance on specialist vessels.

 

The Technical Approach

 

The design retains core principles. It combines a central counterweight with mooring frames. Near-vertical mooring lines feature. These provide passive restoring force. This controls motion without active ballast.

The new configuration refines the platform. It uses a tripod support structure. The mooring frames are upgraded. The hull geometry is revised. These improve performance and reduce weight.

 

The Testing Results

 

The design was rigorously tested. It was assessed under various conditions. These included normal and extreme cases. Survival and power-production cases featured. A typhoon-prone site was modelled.

The results showed controlled behaviour. Roll and pitch angles stayed low. These remained below 5 degrees. Accelerations stayed within design criteria. Tower-base loads also remained acceptable.

 

Significance of the Design

 

The design supports larger turbines. Company leadership stressed this. It scales without becoming heavier. It maintains motion control. It also controls structural loads.

The design could expand floating wind. It reduces material and cost requirements. Leadership cited these advantages. It could make floating wind viable. This applies to previously challenging sites.