PIVOTBUOY
Objetive
The main project objective is to reduce the cost of energy (LCOE) of floating wind by 50% through the validation of the "PivotBuoy" (TRL3), an innovative subsystem that reduces the costs of mooring systems and floating platforms, allows faster and cheaper installation and a more reliable and sustainable operation. The PivotBuoy system combines the advantages of Single Point Mooring systems (SPM - pre-installation of the mooring and connection system using small vessels) with those of tension-leg systems (TLPs - weight reduction, reduced mooring length and enhanced stability), enabling a radical weight reduction of 50% to 90% in floating wind systems compared to current spar and semi-submersible systems but also enabling a critical simplification in the installation of traditional TLP systems. The project proposes validating the concept at PLOCAN test site, integrating a part-scale prototype of the PivotBuoy single point mooring system in a 225kW downwind floating platform developed by X1 WIND. By testing in a relevant environment, the project will also validate critical innovations related to assembly, installation and O&M techniques, reaching TRL5 at the project end.
WavEC Results
- Study on the logistics of the operation & maintenance of 50 floating 5MW wind turbines off the Canaries, using the PivotBuoy concept.
- Numerical simulation of this device, using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) to estimate the loads under extreme wave conditions.
- LCOE modelling
- Development of a business case and life cycle analysis (LCA)
General Information
Funding: H2020
Prject Coordinator at WavEC: Miguel Vicente
Total Funding (Requested EU contribution): € 3 960 065
WavEC Funding: € 224 214
Duration: April 2019 – September 2022 (41 months)
Coordinator: X1 Wind (exponential renewables S.L.)
Partners: ESM Energie, Plocan, INTECSEA B.V., EDP CNET (NEW R&D), DTU (Danmarks Tekniske Universitet), DNV GL UK Limited, Desarrollo Y Gestion Industrial Y Del Medio Ambiente SA and WavEC Offshore Renewables.
Website: http://pivotbuoy.eu/