World's First Floating Wind Turbine Goes to Sea

The BBC (www.news.bbc.co.uk) reports that the world's first floating wind turbine is going to sea. According to Norway-based energy conglomerate StatoilHywind, placing the "Hywind" off Norway's coast could lead to moving other offshore wind farms further out to sea and out of sight.

According to Statoli, relocating offshore wind farms would benefit military radar operations, the shipping industry, fisheries, bird life and tourism plus boost turbine performance.

"Taking wind turbines to sea presents new opportunities," said spokesperson Alexandra Beck Gjorv of Statoil's new energy division. "The wind is stronger and more consistent [and] areas are large."

Built by Siemins, the 2.3 MW wind turbine combines technologies from both the wind farming industry and the oil and gas sectors. StatoilHywind will test the turbine off the coast of Norway for two years.

The turbine has a 100 meter draft that is anchored to the seabed with cables up to 700 meters long.

For more information, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/business/8085551.stm