StatoilHydro announced it has officially inaugurated the only floating wind turbine facility known today – the Hywind project. Just a reminder, this is a pilot facility that the company is hoping will prove the technology and open the door for more such projects that could easily help the world meet its long-term demand for energy. Putting floating wind farms far out at sea, where the winds are more steady and more abundant, may be a solution that will put wind energy at the top.

The world's first large-scale floating wind turbine is located approximately 12 km south east of Karmøy in Norway at a water depth of about 220 meters. (Image credit: Siemens)

Hywind is an example of how StatoilHydro's extensive experience in offshore oil and gas business has been put to use in the renewable energy sector. The floating wind turbine has been delivered on schedule and within the specified budget.

The company has invested about NOK 340 million (about EUR 40 million) in the project, with about NOK 59 million coming from Enova, a state owned company which promotes environment friendly changes in energy production.

To recap, the Hywind consists of a 2.3 MW wind turbine, installed on a traditional floater, previously used for production platforms or offshore loading. The turbine was made by Siemens Wind Power (Denmark), while Technip (France) built the floater, and Nexans which produced and laid the power cable. It is 65 meters high, with an 80 meter diameter. The floater has a draught of 100 meters, and is attached to the floor with three moorings. It can operate in waters 120-700 meters deep, weighing at 5300 tons.

The Hywind wind turbine was towed to the site back in June, and will now begin a two year testing period. The information collected over the next two years will be used to study the effects of wind and waves on the structure, as well as to provide directions for optimization of the technology.