A new wind farm is set to be built in the sea off the coast of Norway, using a unique type of wind turbine. Swedish company Seatwirl has developed a floating wind turbine with a vertical axis, which has several advantages over traditional horizontal axis turbines. The S2X turbine can reach up to 80 meters into the water, with 55 meters above the surface. Its rotor blades are 40 meters long and it has a diameter of 50 meters, allowing it to generate up to one megawatt of power under optimal conditions. The vertical axis design allows the turbine to be optimally angled by wind from any direction, making it ideal for offshore wind farms with high wind speeds. The low center of gravity also makes the turbines more stable and easier to maintain.
However, the vertical axis design does have some drawbacks, such as lower efficiency due to at least one blade always working against the wind. Despite this, Seatwirl has received approval to build an offshore wind farm using the S2X turbine in the Boknafjorden near Stavanger, Norway. The site was previously used for fish farming, and the produced electricity will be distributed through an existing power station. The project faced opposition from a fishing association and an environmental organization, but was ultimately approved by the relevant authorities.
This innovative wind turbine design has several advantages over traditional horizontal axis turbines, making it ideal for offshore wind farms with high wind speeds. While it does have some drawbacks, the approval of the project in Norway shows that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. As renewable energy becomes increasingly important, it is likely that more companies will explore alternative wind turbine designs to maximize efficiency and sustainability.
