Wind Catching Systems has been given approval for their 40 megawatt (MW) design
Its mega-array of smaller rotas arranged in a grid would achieve up to 126MW
The design allows for a simpler installation
Wind Catching Systems hopes the project will boost the commercial wind energy sector
Wind Catching Systems, a member of Norwegian Offshore Wind, has been given approval for their 40 megawatt (MW) design, the first of four planned units in a demonstrator project off the coast of Øygarden, Norway.
The company claims its mega-array of smaller rotas arranged in a grid would achieve up to 126MW, or five times the energy of a 15 MW single-rotor turbine, in North Sea conditions.
The company said the approval is a vital step towards the company securing a licence for the demonstrator project, spearheaded by Wind Catching Systems’ sub-division, Wind Catching Demo AS.
Additionally, it said the project aims to advance the commercialisation of offshore wind technology.
As reported by New Atlas, the windcatcher design would allow for simpler installation compared to conventional wind turbines, greater ease of access for maintenance, simpler scalability, and a longer service life of 50 years, as opposed to 30 years for large single-turbine units.
It reported: “The idea is to share the floating supports between a whole lot of small, relatively lightweight turbines, trussed up in enormous arrays of structural scaffolding, distributing both the weight of the turbine fans and generators, as well as the force supplied by the wind, across a broad area”.
The scaffolding used on the site provides a strong foundation for small maintenance lifts, which run up and down the turbines.
Ole Heggheim, CEO, Wind Catching Systems, described the approval as: “an important milestone towards the construction of our first commercial demonstrator unit.”
Written by
Tamara BirchSenior Writer
Tamara is a London-based journalist and has written about environmental topics for more than four years. This includes advising small business owners on cost-effective ways, like solar panels and energy-efficient products, to help them become more sustainable.
She has used her journalist and research skills to become highly knowledgeable on sustainable initiatives, issues, and solutions to help consumers do their bit for the environment - all while reducing monthly costs.
In addition to adopting sustainable practices in her personal life, Tamara has worked in the retail B2B space to help independent retailers think about their environmental choices and how they can help improve their business. She now uses this knowledge to help consumers do the same.
Her passion for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions stems from a long obsession with nature and animals and ensuring they feel looked after. In her free time, Tamara enjoys reading fantasy novels, visiting the gym, and going on long walks in new areas.
You can get in touch with Tamara via email at tamara.birch@mvfglobal.com.
Max joined The Eco Experts as content manager in February 2024. He has written about sustainability issues across numerous industries, including maritime, supply chain, finance, mining, and retail. He has also written extensively for consumer titles like City AM, The Morning Star, and The Daily Express.
In 2020, he covered in detail the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) legislation on sulphur emissions and its effects on the global container shipping market as online editor of Port Technology International.
He also explored the initiatives major container ports and terminals have launched in order to ship vital goods across the world without polluting the environment.
Since then, he has reported heavily on the impact made by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on the supply chain of minerals, with a particular focus on rare earth mining in Africa.
As part of this, in 2022 Max visited mines and ports in Angola to hone in on the challenges being faced by one of the world’s biggest producers of rare earth minerals.
His most recent sustainability-related work came much closer to home, as he investigated the eco-challenges faced by independent retailers in the UK, specifically looking at how they can cut emissions and continue to thrive.
Max lives in South London and is an avid reader of books on modern history and ghost stories. He has also recently learned to play the game Mahjong and takes every opportunity to do so. He is also yet to find a sport he doesn’t enjoy watching.
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