Floating wind turbines edge toward practicality with a new Oslo concept
Floating wind systems remain a developing frontier rather than a routine staple. They face technical hurdles, yet a Norwegian company is testing a fresh approach that could simplify offshore deployment. These turbines offer the possibility to harvest energy in deep seas or in moving water, where conventional fixed foundations cannot reach, much like a sail catching a breeze on a windy day.
The latest design from Oslo-based World Wide Wind (WWW) has earned authorization to begin testing at Vats in southwestern Norway, signaling a readiness to move from concept to field trials.
Offshore floating wind is nearing a meaningful contribution to renewable energy, but the industry needs reliable, cost-effective solutions that unlock its full potential. The company emphasizes that sustainable floating turbines are not simply land-based machines moved offshore. They are specially engineered for floating operation, a distinction aimed at optimizing performance and dependability at sea, according to the chief executive, Bjorn Simonsen.
Project managers with a turbine model
The prototype stands 19 meters tall and uses two sets of three-point blades. The mast can rotate around a vertical axis, with a generator placed at the base and operating underwater. The underwater turbine and ballast are anchored to the seabed with cables. The entire assembly is designed to tilt and sway with the waves, much like a sailboat riding a breeze.
For deep seas
Floating turbines aim to generate power in waters too deep for fixed-bottom structures, expanding the offshore wind resource. About 80 percent of offshore wind potential lies in deep water where seabed anchoring would be impractical or economically prohibitive.
Today several floating wind farms are in operation, yet challenges remain that keep them from realizing full potential. WWW argues its model can address these hurdles through very light weight and a streamlined supply chain. The new design also promises a lower levelized cost of energy and a reduced impact on wildlife, according to the company.
Design structure
In discussing the project, WWW founder Stian Valentin Knutsen suggested this could be a turning point for floating wind, likening it to a transformative moment for the sector. He noted that persistent headaches over floating wind in the past decade have slowed progress, and that the current path has yet to offer a truly competitive, levelized cost of energy. The goal is to reach a cost that competes with other wind power options while delivering reliable performance at sea, with ongoing development focusing on practicality and scale.
The prototype operates at 30 kW, with plans to test larger, more powerful models in the coming years. A 1.2 MW pilot is slated for early 2025, with ambitions to deploy a 24 MW commercial turbine before 2030. Over time, designers anticipate increasing capacity beyond 40 MW to expand offshore wind capabilities further.
Further information is expected to become available through a designated link, with ongoing developments tracked by the company as they move toward larger pilots and commercial-scale turbines.
Additional contact details for the environmental department have been omitted for privacy and compliance reasons.