The dedicated application of new technology is required for the next stage of the energy transition. As we move toward a cleaner energy source, floating offshore wind is creating new opportunities for wind-generating locales and will be a major factor in the growth of offshore wind power. Around 270 GW of floating offshore wind power is anticipated by 2050, according to DNV’s 2023 Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) study. Now that floating offshore wind has completed its initial prototype and demonstration projects, the first steps toward commercialization are being taken. According to DNV’s ETO 2023, volume growth, standardization, and the benefits of experiential learning will drive cost reductions, with an estimated USD 67/MWh for floating offshore wind by 2050.
With so many new concept ideas, market players, and obstacles from uncharted areas, the industry requires assurance that every precaution has been taken to reduce risks and increase the likelihood of a successful project. By giving developers of safe, dependable, and economically viable projects access to digital tools and guidance, DNV facilitates the commercialization of floating offshore wind. We give stakeholders the confidence they need to deploy cutting-edge floating offshore wind technology globally thanks to our industry standards, worldwide reach, and 160 years of experience managing offshore technology risks.

Some of the floating offshore wind turbines’ most notable qualities

How do wind turbines float?

What allows our wind turbines to float? And in a storm, why don’t they capsize? In waters that are less than 60 meters deep, the majority of wind turbines nowadays are bottom-fixed, or fixed to the seabed. Although bottom-fixed designs are unfeasible due to the depth of the water, the next generation of offshore wind turbines is intended to float farther out to sea, where winds are stronger. The designs of most offshore wind floaters are recognizable from the oil and gas sector. Gravity gives Hywind, which is built on a spar buoy design, exceptional stability. TLP is stabilized by the tension in the mooring system, whereas semisubmersible floaters rely on buoyancy instead.
Similar to how a floating oil platform is tied to the seabed, floating wind turbines are secured to it using several mooring lines and anchors. With the use of sensors and computers, Equinor’s unique floating wind turbine motion controller dampens tower movements, eases the load on the moorings, and maximizes energy generation by adjusting the turbine blades in response to wind gusts.

Our strategy for creating floating offshore wind farms

Offshore wind that floats is a practical, developed solution that is now ready for the market. As with other wind and renewable technologies, we anticipate a sharp acceleration of growth. Our goal is to make it a competitive renewable energy source within the industry. Being a developer who is not limited by technology, we will choose the substructures and designs for our floating wind installations that are most appropriate for the local conditions in which they will be installed.
We have learned a great deal from our experience developing floating offshore wind plants, knowledge that we can use going forward. We are currently building Hywind Tampen, the first wind farm in the North Sea, which is giving us more experience.

Cutting expenses to attain profitability

Reducing costs primarily requires building and operating on a greater scale. The CAPEX / MW was lowered by 70% between Hywind Demo and Hywind Scotland, and we anticipate another 40% decrease between Hywind Scotland and Hywind Tampen. Our main objective is to further lower costs by enhancing project scale and advancing technology.

Equinor introduces the next wave of offshore wind

Equinor has established a set of design principles and solutions that are adaptable to many floating wind ideas, resulting from twenty years of experience in floating offshore wind. These solutions will provide more local content and industrial standardization.
Being the top developer of floating offshore wind farms, Equinor is always looking for ways to maximize local benefits while economically deploying technology. We are making significant progress toward creating competitive, full-scale floating wind farms by standardizing a set of fundamental design principles and solutions for floating wind. This shows that floating offshore wind is deployable at scale, across various geographies, and economically viable with local supply chain adaptability.

What effects does floating wind have on the surroundings?

Both onshore and offshore projects must be constructed and run in a way that minimizes environmental effects. Our goal is for our renewable energy projects to benefit society and the environment net-positive. To do this, we think that effective and sustainable offshore wind development will require extensive coordination and communication with local stakeholders, authorities, and scientific communities. We are always trying to broaden our understanding of how to successfully cohabit with other sea users and develop floating offshore wind sustainably.
Animals searching for food and shelter may be drawn to floating windfarms, as you may have heard. Not at all? So, you can read more in the lengthy report below, which was conducted by Ocean Science Consulting on behalf of Equinor, regarding that and other impacts on biodiversity in floating offshore wind farms.

testing out static fishing techniques in a floating wind farm

Some people believe that because floating offshore windfarms have underwater infrastructure, fishing is more difficult around them. Is it possible for offshore wind and the fishing sector to coexist as the ocean gets busier? Equinor has conducted testing at Hywind Scotland in collaboration with Marine Scotland Science to determine whether it is safe to fish inside the turbine area of a floating offshore windfarm using specific types of static fishing gear. For Equinor’s floating offshore wind projects around the globe, these experiments offer insightful information.