The 40 MW Windcatcher unit has obtained the approval of principle from DNV, making an important step forward towards the first demonstration project
The new form of wind in the sea
Imagine small islands of floating wind walls. A kind of wind trap located in the sea, away from the coast and the eyes, can offer twice the area wiped by the most significant commercial air generators. The project exists and is signed by the Norwegian startup Wind Catching Systems (WCS). The company, founded in 2017, presented its particular offshore wind generator just a few years ago and today is jumping for the big step: realising the first demonstration project in a natural environment. A target that is closer today having received in June 2024 the approval of principle (AiP) from DNV.
“Over the last six months, our team has focused on further maturing the technology through optimising the 40 MW Windcatcher design,” explains WCS in a press release. “A key milestone has been the principal approval by DNV, and we are pleased to announce that this milestone has been achieved.”
The Approval of Principle represents an important step, which attests the validity of the design and its compliance with the standards. In concrete terms, an AiP indicates the probability that the project meets the criteria of the applicable standards for the future DNV classification.
“The technical development work that led to the AiP was a joint effort with our engineering partners Aibel and Arup, who supported us with in-depth knowledge and experience in advanced simulations and design of offshore structures,” emphasizes the company. “This project has covered a range of engineering disciplines including structural and marine design, stability and hydrodynamics, the layout of the fence system, technical layout and safety, transportation and installation.”
Floating wind walls for the oceans of tomorrow
WCS’s initial idea was to create a competitive offshore wind generator capable of maximizing energy production from a concentrated area.
The special Windcatcher floating wind walls, vertical grid structures over 324 meters high and composed of hundreds of mini turbines in unfolded formation, was born. The design is expected to offer twice the area wiped by the giant wind turbines on the market today and, at the same time, work much better with wind speeds ranging from 40 to 43 km/h.
The other strengths? Firstly, modularity. This kind of wind wall would consist of small pieces that are easy to mount and transport. Furthermore, the inventors said the system would have a longer service life than large single-turbine units: 50 years against the classic 30. But the field in which it would strangle the classic air generators would be that of power, managing to reach (in the final scale of the project) up to 126 MW.
There are still many doubts about the project’s structural and economic feasibility. But DNV’s approval and catalyzed investments so far (including $10 million from GM Ventures and $3 million from the Norwegian government) demonstrate enough confidence in the project.
The Offshore Wind Wall Demonstration What are the next steps? Wind Catching Systems, through its subsidiary, Wind Catching Demo AS, has begun obtaining the license for a demonstration project off the coast of Øygarden, Norway. The 40 MW project – which has now also received the AiP – will represent the first of four units to be installed.
“The AiP process provided clear guidance for the further development and optimization of the Windcatcher and highlighted important areas of interest, marking an important milestone for our commercial demonstration project,” the company concluded.
