The V-shaped design of the OceanX twin turbines provides 16.6 MW, producing 54,000 MWh of electricity annually, enough to power 30,000 Chinese households.
Mingyang Smart Energy has begun the journey to install the world’s largest single floating wind turbine array, setting sail from the port of Guangzhou city in southern China to its final destination at the Qingzhou IV Offshore Wind Farm in Yangjiang, Guangdong, Interesting Engineering The 354-km journey is expected to be completed in 72 hours, the company said on August 13.
The Ocean X is a V-shaped vessel with twin turbines and a total capacity of 16.6 MW. This single floating platform can produce 54,000 MWh of electricity annually, meeting the needs of about 30,000 domestic households. The draft of the OceanX is designed to be 5.5 m, and the total weight is about 12,000 tons. To ensure safe movement, engineers have adjusted the turbine’s large blades to reduce bulkiness.
Wind turbines can operate continuously, although their output can fluctuate, while solar farms are limited by their inability to produce electricity at night. Over the years, wind turbines have grown in size, producing more electricity with each rotation. Initially, the goal was to move wind turbines offshore to free up land for farming. However, the benefits of harnessing stronger winds at sea have led to a growing offshore wind industry.
Minh Duong aims to support the world’s transition to sustainable energy with advanced floating offshore wind technology, including the 5.5MW MySE and 7.25MW MySE systems, along with the advanced 16.6MW turbine (OceanX dual rotor floating wind turbine). Minh Duong manufactures the OceanX platform through cooperation with Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company and China Shipbuilding Corporation.
Sitting atop the OceanX’s V-shaped structure are two counter-rotating rotors, each powered by a MySE16.6(T) wind turbine with a blade diameter of 182 m. To ensure optimum stability, the structure is mounted on a Y-shaped floating platform and reinforced with high-tensile cables. The approximately 15,000-tonne floating platform is designed to operate in waters deeper than 35 m, allowing for maximum exploitation of offshore wind resources.
According to Minh Duong, the construction process of the floating platform uses ultra-high performance concrete to enhance durability and economy. OceanX uses a single-point mooring system to reduce the impact on the marine environment and increase stability in strong storms. In addition, the floating platform can withstand winds of 260 km/h and waves up to 30 m high in Category 5 storm conditions, while maintaining power generation.