Crossover foundation

Constructed of concrete, or alternatively all in steel, with an articulated joint at the foundation’s base it provides a robust, stable and a cost effective alternative to floating platforms opening up development opportunities in deeper locations closer to shore, at lower cost.

The Articulated Wind Column is designed to operate with the largest of turbines to harvest the strongest wind conditions. Field demonstration sites in around 90 metres (300ft) water depth are now being planned. Turbines are expected to be in the range of 6-8MW and a total capacity of up to 100MW is envisioned.

Dan Woodman, Business Development Manager North America said “The capability to accommodate the largest turbines of any configuration, together with the introduction of modern methods of mass production of the substructure. We demonstrate how this fixed foundation enables the economic development of future deep water wind projects at a level which will be competitive with other forms of electricity generation.”

Dan continues “The AWC solution is an extension to proven technology with more than a dozen deployments as offshore loading columns in the harsh North Sea environment. The structural design and use of concrete as the primary material results in a design which is less prone to price volatility and is highly amenable to mass production and versatile construction methods that enable the use of infrastructure and capabilities which are local to the offshore wind farm location.”

ODE on behalf of other Partners, MEES & Doris Engineering, presented the Articulated Wind Column as a cost-effective solution for mid to deep water environments at the International Offshore Partnering Forum in Annapolis, Maryland, United States on 19th April.

ODE has been working in Offshore Wind for almost 20 years from complete project management to more specific and focused technical involvement on a multitude of projects both in the UK and overseas. Current examples include Iberdrola’s Wikinger Project in Germany where the company is supporting the offshore turbine, associated cable lay and electrical substation installations, and LEEDCo’s Icebreaker Project on Lake Erie in the US where ODE is acting as Owners Engineer. ODE is also now undertaking a major new development offshore Taiwan for Northland Power and Yushan Energy: this development will produce in the region of 1.2GW and deploy 7-8MW turbines.

In 2010 ODE won the UK’s prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise, in the International Trade category. This was followed in 2012 with the Major Project Award from UK Renewables for implementation of the Ormonde Offshore Wind Farm Project.

By Jake Frith