World’s first multi-turbine floating offshore wind platform design revealed

Hexicon has appointed Atkins as an engineering partner for the Dounreay Tri offshore wind floating platform to be located off the north coast of Scotland

Swedish company Hexicon has appointed Atkins as an engineering partner for the Dounreay Tri offshore wind floating platform to be located off the north coast of Scotland.

Atkins’ offshore wind team has been working with Hexicon to define the concept since 2015 and is currently in the process of analysing a two turbine 8-12MW structure ready for Front End Engineering Design (FEED) and physical model testing of the new design later this year. 

The semi-submersible platform, planned for operations by summer 2018, will consist of a single export cable to bring the power to shore at or near Sandside Bay. The associated onshore electrical infrastructure will connect the project at or near the existing substation at Dounreay.
  
New developments in the design of the floating structure's mooring system have increased the efficiency of the rotating system reducing CAPEX and maximising energy yield by aligning with wind direction. 

Katherine Ward, project manager in Atkins’ renewables business, said: “We’re really pushing the boundaries of what can be done to support Hexicon in maximising energy yield through clever design. The team has a great deal of experience in innovative, transformational work both in the renewables and oil and gas sectors and on this project we are going one step further in making such an exciting concept a reality.” 
 
Marcus Thor, project director for Hexicon, said: “Atkins brings innovation, quality and professionalism, and we’re pleased to be working with them on developing our floating wind concept ready for the offshore wind market.  Our aim is for this project to show how a multi turbine concept can help bring down the cost of offshore wind, enabling this form of renewable energy to be even more financially viable.”

Atkins has already been involved in more than half a dozen floating wind projects around the world including a design and analysis for Principle Power’s WindFloat prototype in Portugal and a design for Pilot Offshore Renewable’s Kincardine floating wind project. 
 
Chris Cowland, project director in Atkins’ renewables business added: “The integrated design capability that enables the head to toe design that we’re undertaking for Hexicon clearly demonstrates how our experience across a range of both floating and fixed offshore wind projects can add real value to clients.”