Floating challenge for offshore wind turbine—world's first full-scale floating wind turbine

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8235456.stm

Floating challenge for offshore wind turbine

By Jorn Madslien
Business reporter, BBC News, Stavanger, Norway

…

Statoil has constructed the world's first full-scale floating wind turbine a couple of hours by catamaran from the oil town Stavanger, in the hope that one day vast wind farms could be constructed far offshore in water depths of up to 700m.

Standing firm as the catamaran rolls in the waves, Sjur Bratland is optimistic with regards to the technology's potential.

…

As the turbine slowly emerges through the mist, the first impression is how stable it is.

…

The Hywind turbine will be tested over a two-year period, at the end of which Mr Bratland hopes to have found proof that offshore wind farms can be built, and that they are economically viable - perhaps even competitive with conventional offshore wind.

…

[Beartracks]

1. Fascinating. n/t

[Nihil]

2. K & R

> The Hywind turbine will be tested over a two-year period, at the end of which
> Mr Bratland hopes to have found proof that offshore wind farms can be built,
> and that they are economically viable - perhaps even competitive with
> conventional offshore wind.

It will be interesting to see how this turns out.