Innovative solutions for high power offshore wind turbines
SEAPOWER PROJECT – IDOM IS LEADING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FIXED SOLUTION
The objective of the SEAPOWER project is to promote research and the collaborative development of technologies and solutions for offshore wind structures, towers and auxiliary systems for the new generation of high-power wind turbines (more than 10 MW).
The initiative commenced in 2019, with a consortium involving 10 Basque reference companies in the offshore wind sector, among which is IDOM. It has a budget of € 5.3 million for the period 2019-2021 and is funded by the Hazitek Program of the Basque Government, with support from the European Regional Development Fund.
One of the factors that sets SEAPOWER apart is that it represents the first large-scale collaboration project in the field of offshore wind between important Basque engineering firms and the main manufacturers of structures and components.
The project is led by SENER engineering, which will also coordinate the activities around the floating solution. IDOM will be in charge of the fixed solution, while two reference companies in the manufacture of structures, HAIZEA WIND and NAVACEL, lead the packages linked to the XXL towers and the transition pieces, respectively. The consortium is completed with the participation of ALKARGO, manufacturer of transformers; DITREL, developer of an innovative concept of electrical connection to the wind turbine base; ERREKA, manufacturer of fixing solutions for offshore wind; JASO Tower Cranes, lifting systems specialist; MUGAPE, expert in anti-corrosion surface coatings and NAUTILUS Floating Solutions, developer of a floating platform concept. The consortium also counts on the support of two Basque Science, Technology & Innovation Network centers (Tecnalia and Tekniker) and the Energy Cluster.
This is a project with important challenges, driven by the demands brought about by the large increase in power and size of offshore wind turbines; and what this means for the rest of the elements of the parks, both for those of a structural nature such as the foundations (either fixed or floating), the transition component and the tower, which will be subjected to much higher loads, such as for electrical power evacuation equipment. All this, in addition, to a hostile environment such as the sea, with high levels of corrosion.
The project was presented at the “Offshore Wind Basque Country” stand promoted by the Energy Cluster – Basque Energy Cluster at the WindEurope Offshore event held in Copenhagen at the end of November 2019 (further information).
