Stability Performance
The WindFloat is fitted with patented water
entrapment (heave) plates at the base of
Overview
each column. The plates improve the motion
performance of the system significantly due
to damping and entrained water effects. This
stability performance allows for the use of
existing commercial wind turbine technology.
Design and Size
The design of the WindFloat enables the structure
to be fully assembled onshore and towed to its
final location. All fabrication and qualification
is completed at quayside in a controlled
environment. Deployment and operation cost
savings are significant when compared with
monopile/jacket support structures. A 2MW
WindFloat prototype was wet-towed 400km,
fully-comissioned, to final installation site in
October 2011 offshore of Aguçadoura, Portugal.
Advantages
Mooring System
The mooring system employs conventional
components such as chain and polyester lines
to minimize cost and complexity. Through the
use of pre-laid drag embedded anchors, site
preparation and impact is minimized.
Principle Power targets the offshore wind sector
by eliminating current deepwater limitations
PRINCIPLE
renewable energy delivered
with an innovative solution. WindFloat is a
floating support structure for offshore wind
turbines with a simple, economic and patented
design.
The innovative features of the WindFloat dampen
wave and turbine induced motion, enabling wind
turbines to be sited in previously inaccessible
locations where water depth exceeds 50m and
wind resources are superior. Further, economic
efficiency is maximized by eliminating the need
for offshore heavylift operations during final
assembly, deployment, and commissioning.
Multiple projects are in development for the
installation of commercial Windfloat units in
both European and US offshore wind farms.
There are three distinct advantages to the
WindFloat foundation: first, its static and
dynamic stability provides sufficiently low
pitch performance enabling use of commercial
offshore wind turbines; second, its design and
size allow for onshore assembly; third, its shallow
draft allows for depth independent siting and wet
tow (fully assembled and commissioned) to sites
not visible from shore and that are responsive to
stakholder input.
PRINCIPLE POWER | phone +1 206 905 1139
W n dFl oat
info@principlepowerinc.com | www.principlepowerinc.com
PRINCIPLE
PRINCIPLE
renewable
renewableenergy
energy
energydelivered
delivered
delivered