EOLink one tenth scale prototype installed

The concept, designed and patented by EOLink, is a one tenth size version of a full scale unit and the installation is part of a programme of testing and evaluation prior to the installation of production units.

The EOLink unit is fitted to a rectangular floating base that is constructed in concrete. It is moored with a single point mooring that is claimed to simplify the installation and maintenance and to reduce the costs. The tower is fastened to this base and instead of the single tubular tower that is commonly used, the EOLink tower is formed from four struts in a pyramid form to support the turbine at the top.

These struts are profiled to a shape that it is claimed will cause the float to head up into the wind at all times so that the unit automatically weather vanes without the need for sensors. This is also claimed to reduce the maintenance costs so that the unit performs without any adjustment. EOLink claims that the design of the structure will reduce the possibility of fatigue caused by vibrations particularly those that can be found at the base of single tower turbines.

Prior to the installation of this unit in offshore conditions it has been fully evaluated in a test tank. Tested in a wide variety of wind and sea conditions, the unit is said to have still maintained its heading into the wind in the worst conditions when the wind and the waves were at right angles to each other.

The installation site for this prototype is off the coast of Brittany and it is connected to the shore grid for the collection of the electric power generated. The project and installation have been supported by the Region Bretagne authorities and by Ifremer the French research organisation.

The company claims that the unit offers improved electricity production thanks to a high availability rate using redundant systems such as a multi-phased synchronous direct drive generator, a twin-pitch system and a plug-in electric layout. Also claimed is a decrease in wind farm capital expenditure thanks to its structure which can sustain turbines up to 200 metres in diameter and 10MW generators.