The first floating wind turbine to use anchors to generate electricity

The turbine rig was developed by X1 Wind, a floating wind technology company based in Barcelona, ​​and anchored in the Canary Islands, near Spain. The TLP system of the X30 floating wind turbine prototype significantly reduces its impact on the environment, increasing its compatibility with many other uses.

Electricity from the turbine is transmitted to the offshore smart grid via 1.4km of undersea cables. The project team will complete the final test and the evaluation will begin after the installation of the turbine in November 2022. This process is part of the preparation to scale up the technology and apply for a commercial project license.

X1 Wind is a floating wind turbine prototype.

The new design puts X1 Wind on track to deliver 15 MW turbine rigs in deep water around the world. According to Carlos Casanovas, co-founder of X1 Wind, floating wind turbines play an essential role in supporting the global energy transition, reducing carbon, and achieving zero emissions.

The system provided by X1 Wind ensures a self-navigating floating design, which reduces weight, while minimizing installation and maintenance costs, making floating wind power a competitive option. TLP anchor technology minimizes the impact on the seabed compared to traditional designs.

Turbine developers have built many rotors larger than 15 MW. The X1 Wind's turbine design is more efficient (avoiding buckling due to the tower system) making the turbine blades lighter, longer, and cheaper, according to Casanovas. The ability to install at depths from 40 m to more than 500 m with vertical anchorage makes the new turbine very cost-effective for manufacturers.