Touchwind Mono: A New Concept for Offshore Wind Turbines
Touchwind, a Dutch company, has developed a new concept for offshore wind turbines that promises to significantly reduce the cost of building and operating wind farms. Offshore wind farms have become increasingly popular in Germany due to opposition from local residents to onshore wind turbines. However, the logistics of building and maintaining offshore wind turbines are much more complex and expensive than onshore turbines. Touchwind Mono aims to address this issue by using a simple design that reduces costs while increasing energy output.
The Touchwind Mono system uses a single large rotor blade instead of the traditional three blades. The blade is 200 meters long and can generate up to 12 megawatts of power. Unlike traditional wind turbines, the Touchwind Mono does not adjust the angle of the rotor blades to adapt to varying wind speeds. Instead, the turbine can tilt to a nearly horizontal position in low wind speeds and a nearly vertical position in high wind speeds. The system is installed on a floating platform anchored to the seabed with chains. A buoy system near the top of the turbine exerts a downward force that is balanced by an upward force, preventing the rotor blades from touching the water.
The Touchwind Mono system is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 252 km/h, compared to traditional offshore wind turbines that must be shut down at speeds over 90 km/h. The system promises to increase energy output and reduce production costs by up to 30% compared to traditional systems. The company has already tested the system on a smaller scale and plans to test a prototype with a 6-meter rotor blade in the near future. The timeline for further testing and market introduction has not yet been determined.
In conclusion, Touchwind Mono is a promising new concept for offshore wind turbines that could significantly reduce the cost of building and operating wind farms. The system’s simple design and ability to withstand high wind speeds make it an attractive option for offshore wind energy production.
