There is (offshore wind powered) light at the end of the tunnel! | 30 comments (30 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Due to the overwhelming respooonse of the last Contest (one of J's diaries, zero) it's time to play again.

What offshore foundation technology has a chance of competing against the three current ones mentioned in this diary? Clue: they've already been used in near shore applications, but can be modified for deeper waters... and may be cheaper? Not counting floating foundations.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Tue Jan 26th, 2010 at 04:28:05 PM EST

Re: Contest Time (none / 0)

Artificial reefs?

by njh on Tue Jan 26th, 2010 at 05:28:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Wild guess (none / 0)

Suction?

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 10:04:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wild guess (none / 0)

Someone's getting warm here.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 10:38:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Wild guess (none / 0)

OK I looked up how the suction method foundation is called properly: bucket, then?

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 10:49:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

We Have A Winner (none / 1)

Suction Buckets!

Here's a prototype from 2003 for Enercon's then largest 4.5 MW turbine.

The British Study version

A vacuum is created within the bucket, which sinks itself into the seabed without hammering. it's been used in offshore oil and gas, and there are several different types under study for varying offshore depths and conditions. They have won the whale and dolphin "seal" of approval (though have not been tested enough yet for wind use).

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 11:17:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We Have A Winner (none / 1)

Prize portion of a rare Caol Ila to be delivered at a meetup to be discussed. Congrat's DoDo.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 11:19:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Or do you mean (none / 0)

BARD's tripiles?

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 10:25:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Or do you mean (none / 0)

Basically a combination of two of the above.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 10:39:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Or do you mean (none / 0)

After Jérôme explained it for a monopile, the question arises: how do they regulate vertical alignment on a tripile?

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 10:51:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Or do you mean (none / 1)

Currently same method although more measurement and correction intensive.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin

by Crazy Horse on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 11:25:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Or do you mean (none / 0)

Jérôme didn't state explicitely, but I took it that the transition piece can be rotated. However, to adjust a level surface on a tripole, I imagine height difference is needed.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 04:55:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Or do you mean (none / 0)

Wait, maybe I miss the obvious solution. The platform on top of the tripole to which the tower will be fixed can be adjusted, right?

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Wed Jan 27th, 2010 at 04:56:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

There is (offshore wind powered) light at the end of the tunnel! | 30 comments (30 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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