ABS reviews University of Maine’s floating offshore wind concept

ABS has completed the design review of the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) documentation for the University of Maine (UMaine) developed floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) concept, the VolturnUS.

The patented VolturnUS, developed by the Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine, is based on a concrete four-column semi-submersible hull concept. In 2013, the UMaine team successfully tested the feasibility of the concept by developing a 1:8 scale model and deploying it offshore Maine. The current pilot project consists of two full scale semi-submersibles, each with a 6 megawatt turbine that are designed to be on site for 20 years. Both units will be connected to the Maine power grid by subsea cables.

    “UMaine is pleased that its innovative design became the first floating wind turbine concrete semisubmersible hull to be reviewed by ABS, and found to meet the ABS requirements,” stated UMaine Director and Principal Investigator Dr. Habib J. Dagher.

ABS completed a design review of the semisubmersible, assessing the hull/tower structure, coupled aeroelastic/hydrodynamic loads, safety, stability, electrical systems, equipment, piping and hydrodynamic and station keeping design. The concept was found to meet ABS requirements.

Plans are in place for the semi-submersibles to be used for the New England Aqua Ventus I project, a 12 megawatt facility offshore Maine funded by the US Department of Energy. According to UMaine, this is a pilot project to demonstrate that the innovative design of the VolturnUS is a viable and economical alternative for offshore wind developments in water depths greater than 50m.

    “Nearly 70% of the U.S. offshore wind resources can be captured using the UMaine VolturnUS technology, and we are looking forward to working with offshore wind developers across the US,” continued Dr. J. Dagher.