Novel vertical axis floating wind turbine moves toward Norway trials with construction deal

Sweden's SeaTwirl signs letter of intent with Westcon Yards to build and install 1MW S2x prototype for testing at former North Sea fish farm site in 2023

A SeaTwirl CGI.
A SeaTwirl CGI.Foto: SeaTwirl

Swedish floating wind pioneer SeaTwirl has inked a deal with Norwegian yards group Westcon that puts the start-up’s innovative vertical axis design on course for deployment next year in the North Sea.

The letter of intent with Westcon, a mainstay of the regional marine and offshore oil & gas supply chain, is seen as an “important step” for commercialisation of the S2x concept, which is set to be undergo sea-trials as a 1MW prototype off the oil city of Stavanger on Norway’s west coast.

“This is an important step forward in the realization of S2x. We have worked closely with Westcon for a long time to arrange a contract where Westcon can take full responsibility all the way through the installation of S2x,” said SeaTwirl CTO Jonas Boström.

“We have great confidence in Westcon and feel that this cooperation will secure not only the production of S2x in 2023 but also strengthen SeaTwirl's position for future larger turbines.”

SeaTwirl CEO Peter Laurits added: “Securing partners with the ability to support us beyond the S2x project is important for realising our vision of becoming a leading supplier to large offshore wind farms.”

The SeaTwirl is a distinctive offshore vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) that – below the water line – has the added feature of a self- powering energy storage system that charges up as the turbine above rotates and so can continue exporting electricity to shore even when winds drop.
The 55-metre-tall demonstrator S2x is to be installed in 130 metres of water at Boknafjorden, at the site of a former fish farm. The unit will be wired into an existing onshore transformer substation for onward transmission to the Norwegian grid, with power sold under a previously arranged deal with regional utility Haugaland Kraft.
VAWT designs have long been seen to hold untapped promise, with experimental models having undergone development and trials in onshore settings, and several high profile pilot units, including French contractor Technip’s Vertiwind, WPL’s Aerogenerator, and a concept collaboration between EDF and Nenuphar, but none reaching commercialisation.
The US government, through its Atlantis technology development programme, is underwriting an up-to-15MW concept hatched at the University of Texas at Dallas, while Norwegian newco World Wide Wind is currently advancing a new design flying a pair of contra-rotating rotor stars, with an eye on having a giant 40MW version ready for market by 2030.
A study published by Oxford Brookes University in the UK last year concluded VAWTs would “outcompete” the mainstream models now being built in their thousands for projects around the world.
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Published 12 September 2022, 15:36Updated 16 October 2023, 12:41
SeaTwirlNorwaySwedenOffshore windMet-Centre