Atkins, MODEC and Ulstein win Statoil’s challenge to promote Hywind concept

British engineering company Atkins, along with MODEC and Ulstein have won the Hywind Installation Challenge hosted by Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil’s to make its floating wind turbine concept Hywind popular.

Through the challenge, Statoil’s was looking for companies within the energy sector and outside with intellectual property or experience that could contribute to improve Hywind turbines assembly and installation sequence to make Hywind concept more cost efficient.

The chosen designs are now undergoing further study to enhance and mature the winning concept.

The Hywind demonstrator was launched in 2009, and a 30MW pilot park is planned for installation off the coast of Scotland in 2017, using five 6MW turbines.

Atkins’ solution involved attachment of multiple turbines to a reusable transportation frame that could reduce the draught of the structures.

It will not only increase the transport efficiency by reducing the number of towing vessels required, but also reduce weather restrictions on towing.

Atkins projects director for offshore renewables Chris Cowland said: "The offshore renewable industry is constantly looking for ways to reduce costs.

"In this instance, we were able to draw upon our talent and expertise across our oil and gas teams in North America and the UK, as well as our renewables division, to develop innovative solutions for the benefit of the industry"

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Image: Atkins wins Statoil’s Hywind Installation Challenge. Photo: courtesy of Atkins .