Statoil project manager Finn Teller points out where the new turbine will be erected at Havøygavlen in northern Norway. (Photo: Dag Myrestrand)

StatOil is going to be testing new wind turbine technology in northern Norway, where the company plans to install a prototype of a next generation gearless wind turbine. The new technology for offshore wind turbines will drastically decrease cost of service and maintenance for offshore wind farm operators. Basically, since there are much less moving parts, the new wind turbine will reduce maintenance by 20%. The turbines are coming from Siemens, which will produce an initial ten units for testing purposes.

The first of these units will be installed at Havøygavlen, where the company will perform monitoring and testing in collaboration with Siemens. The two companies are developing Dogger Bank offshore wind farm, so they are keen on introducing new technology which will help them reduce S&M costs. The first test project will have a Technology Qualification Period (TQP) of 17,000 hours, which is equivalent to about two years of operation. The wind turbine will be added to the existing wind turbines at StatOil's test site, and will therefore not require a specific concession. It will be installed in mid-September, and will begin power generation in Q4 2010.

[source: StatOil]