A massive 40-MW floating wind turbine array has received significant approval, marking a new direction in wind energy. While the trend has been toward larger rotors, exemplified by a 22-MW turbine in China, Norway’s Wind Catching Systems (WCS) is taking an innovative approach. WCS claims its grid of smaller rotors could achieve up to 126 MW in the North Sea, five times more than a 15-MW single-rotor turbine, with potential for even higher output in other locations.
WCS’s Windcatcher design promises not only superior energy output but also simpler installation and maintenance, scalability, and a longer 50-year service life compared to 30 years for large single-turbine units. The concept involves distributing the weight and wind force across multiple small turbines supported by a structural scaffolding, allowing for easier installation and maintenance. This setup avoids the logistical challenges associated with massive generators and blades, making the system more manageable to manufacture and transport.
When first introduced in 2021, the Windcatcher design faced skepticism due to its immense size, over 1,000 ft (324 m) high and wide. However, WCS has made notable progress since then. In June 2022, WCS secured up to $10 million in a Series A investment from GM Ventures and formed a strategic agreement with General Motors. Additionally, it received grants totaling NOK31.3 million (approximately $3 million) from Enova SF, a Norwegian government enterprise focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing clean energy technologies.
Recently, the Windcatcher design received a major endorsement from DNV (Det Norske Veritas), an internationally recognized classification society. DNV awarded an Approval of Principle for WCS’s 40-MW system, set to be the first of four units for a demonstrator project off the coast of Øygarden, Norway.
“This is an important milestone towards the construction of our first commercial demonstrator unit,” stated Ole Heggheim, CEO of WCS. While WCS has yet to specify the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) for the design, the demonstrator project aims to validate the Windcatcher concept. If successful, the offshore wind farms of the future could be vastly different from today’s installations, promising an exciting evolution in renewable energy.