Following very encouraging initial results communicated last July, the 2MW Floatgen floating wind turbine, equipped with Ideol’s patented floating foundation and installed on the Sem-Rev test site (Atlantic Coast of France), exceeded production and availability expectations in the second half of 2019.

During the second half of 2019, the floating wind turbine has more than doubled its power production in comparison with the first semester, to reach an annual total of 6GWh. This number was achieved because of a time availability exceeding 94.6% in the second semester and an above average capacity factor.

Such accuracy has been verified and validated by an independent third party (classification society ABS) reviewing the load and movement measurements as well as the data processing methods used by Ideol. ABS also evaluated the fully coupled simulation tools used by Ideol, independently re-running a number of load cases and comparing the simulation results with the observed and processed measurements.

Ideol says its technology is now fully proven and ready for commercial deployment, even in severe environments, wherever they may be in the world.

By Jake Frith