Image Credit: Mingyang/Linkedin
Ocean X’s innovative dual-turbine ‘V’ design is making waves in the renewable energy sector. With a massive capacity of 16.6 MW, this floating wind turbine generates a significant 54,000 MWh each year, enough to supply around 30,000 homes in China with clean energy.
Launched by MingYang Smart Energy, Ocean X embarked on its journey from Guangzhou, China, heading to the Qingzhou IV Offshore Wind Farm in Guangdong. This eco-friendly powerhouse is set to traverse 191 nautical miles in about 72 hours, showcasing a blend of advanced engineering and unparalleled efficiency in harnessing wind energy.
Enhancing Offshore Wind
Offshore wind farms are taking a front seat in the global shift toward renewable energy. Wind turbines offer a key advantage as they continue to generate power around the clock, while solar farms face the limitation of nighttime hours.
Over recent years, the turbines have grown larger, improving efficiency with every turn.
Initially, the move to place turbines offshore was driven by land conservation efforts, allowing more space for agriculture and other land uses. Yet, the stronger winds found over the ocean have further boosted their appeal, pushing the rise of the offshore wind industry.
Mingyang is among those at the forefront, developing advanced floating offshore wind technologies like the MySE 5.5MW, MySE 7.25MW, and the remarkable 16.6MW OceanX double-rotor floating wind turbine. These innovations tap into wind power from deep waters, proving efficient up to 100 kilometers off the coast and at depths of up to 100 meters.
Mingyang’s technology stands in competition with heavyweights like Siemens Gamesa and local firms like GoldWind and CSSC Haizhuang. The turbines feature impressive diameters of 260 to 292 meters, capable of sweeping areas comparable to nine soccer fields.
In eastern Guangdong, these turbines have a significant annual energy output of 80 million kWh, enough to supply electricity to 96,000 households. They also achieve a notable environmental impact, reducing CO2 emissions by 66,000 tons each year.
These wind turbines are engineered to perform in medium to high wind speeds.
They incorporate “active anti-typhoon technology,” allowing them to endure winds reaching 61 meters per second, or about 200 feet per second, making them resilient even during Category 17 typhoons.
Advanced Wind Solutions
The OceanX platform, developed by MingYang in partnership with Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company and China State Shipbuilding Corporation, represents a significant leap in wind energy technology.
In April this year, they completed the full-scale installation of the OceanX platform, following a successful prototype test at a 1:10 scale back in 2020.
A distinctive feature of this platform is its V-shaped structure, which supports twin counter-rotating rotors powered by MySE16.6(T) wind turbines.
These turbines boast blade diameters of 597 feet (182 meters), enhancing their energy capture efficiency.
The stability of the OceanX platform is ensured through its unique floating design, which is shaped like a Y and anchored with high-tension cable stays.
This structure weighs approximately 16,500 tons (15,000 tonnes) and is engineered to operate in waters deeper than 115 feet (35 meters). This depth allows the platform to harness the substantial wind resources available offshore.
To further optimize performance, the turbines feature full yaw capability, which enhances their efficiency.
The platform itself is constructed using ultra-high-performance concrete, which offers both durability and cost-effectiveness.
The single-point mooring system used by the platform minimizes its impact on the marine environment, while also providing stability even in extreme weather conditions.
The OceanX platform can withstand winds up to 161 mph (260 km/h) and waves reaching 98 feet (30 meters), equivalent to Category 5 hurricane conditions.
Remarkably, it continues generating power even in these severe conditions by orienting itself to face the wind.
This technological breakthrough opens new opportunities for harnessing offshore wind energy, making robust and reliable power production possible even in challenging marine environments.