Video: Innovations in offshore wind turbine foundations drive down cost
Innovative Bucket Foundations on their way for first stage of construction at the world's largest offshore wind farm
The innovative suction-installed foundations that represent the first stage of construction at the world's largest offshore wind farm are now on their way to the site at Dogger Bank, 125 kilometres off the UK's east coast.
The structures, known as Bucket Foundations, will support two meteorological masts that will provide essential weather information. They were developed by Danish firm Universal Foundation - a Fred. Olsen-related company - through The Carbon Trust's Offshore Wind Accelerator programme, which takes the best designs for offshore wind turbine foundations from design through to deployment.
'This is the first deployment of the Bucket Foundation in UK waters,' said Phil De Villiers, head of the Offshore Wind Accelerator programme. 'We're excited about what this means for offshore wind development. The foundations represent 30% of the total cost of a wind farm. Reducing the capital and installation costs could really make an impact on the viability of future projects.'
Bucket Foundations: video
With the help of a tin can, a fish tank, Phil de Villiers, Head of Offshore Wind at the Carbon Trust and Damian Carrington of the Guardian demonstrate this new technique for building offshore windfarms.
The technique, developed by Danish company Universal Foundation with the Carbon Trust, means potential savings of billions of pounds on the construction of new offshore windfarms.
Read the full press release:
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