World's first floating wind farm delivers promising results

摘要

THREE MONTHS AFTER DEPLOYMENT, the world's first floating wind farm surpassed performance expectations, according to its operator, Statoil. The five-turbine, 30-MW Hywind Scotland Pilot Park — situated 15 miles off the Aberdeenshire Coast — operated at 65% of its maximum theoretical capacity last November, December, and January, the Norwegian energy company said. By comparison, the typical capacity factor during the winter season for a bottom-fixed offshore wind farm is 45 to 60%. The 65% capacity figure was achieved despite a hurricane and a severe winter storm with wave heights of up to 27 feet.