FLOTANT validates dynamic cable design for floating wind

The consortium behind the FLOTANT project has completed the validation of a dynamic cable concept for deepwater floating wind projects.

As part of the dynamic cable scope, consortium partners Hellenic Cables and ITA have completed the design and engineering of a braided armor for the protection of the dynamic cables cross-section. This consisted of the application of an outer jacket made of carbon fibre reinforced composite, in addition to the development of a solution for sensor integration and interconnection of fiberoptic sensors for structural condition monitoring.

The dynamic cable and export system optimisation was part of Innosea’s scope of work within the consortium. The company was also responsible for the configuration analysis of the dynamic cable, while testing and validation of mooring and dynamic cables was conducted at the Dynamic Marine Component (DMaC) of the University of Exeter in the UK.

“FLOTANT seeks to open the possibility to develop floating wind in even deeper waters than is possible today, unlocking potential for far greater wind power resources at lower cost. The innovative braided armour cross-section design of the dynamic cabling in such extreme water depths is pivotal to the project’s success”, said Mattias Lynch, engineering director at Innosea.

The next phase of the project for Innosea will be to finalise the floater global performance analyses to confirm its suitability versus project defined sites.

The FLOTANT consortium – comprising Innosea, an AqualisBraemar LOC Group ASA (ABL Group) company, Hellenic Cables, ITA and University of Exeter – aims to bring forward new and cost-effective solutions for floating wind installations in water depths of between 100 and 600 metres.

The project’s goal is to develop conceptual and basic engineering for a hybrid concrete-plastic floating wind farm, looking at innovative solutions for anchoring and mooring systems, and dynamic cabling, including performance testing.

In July, the consortium completed the validation model tests for the project’s low-cost floating wind technology for 10+ MW wind turbines in the offshore basin of the Dutch MARIN research institute.

The tests simulated waves of over 15 metres and winds of up to 27 metres per second, which simulated the extreme weather conditions of the two sites selected to house the FLOTANT technology: the South Coast of Gran Canaria in Spain and West of Barra in Scotland.