Hydraspar

The platform to reduce costs regarding the floating wind power

HYDRASPAR is the floating platform developed and implemented by SeaPower with the aim of reducing the costs of floating wind turbines. It consists of a central cylindrical body and inclined columns which extend upwards, outside the waterline of the system, forming an “umbrella” configuration. Some hinges connect the inclined columns to the central body, allowing the adjustment of their angle of inclination.

Both the inclined columns and the hinges used to connect structural elements to the floating platform present several advantages over the state-of-the-art in respect to wind turbines, which, normally, present fixed vertical elements. Those inclined columns, which function consists in providing buoyancy and stabilization of the platform when exposed to wind and wave action, permit to maximize stability by minimizing weight and, therefore, construction costs are reduced too.

On the other hand, the connecting hinges permit the vertical columns to be aligned with the central body when in transportation. Thanks to this space-saving solution, smaller boats and vessels can be used. As a result, transportation and installation time and costs get reduced. Moreover, thanks to the hinges, it is possible to build limited-size elements, which are subsequently assembled. This design modularity reduces construction costs, which results in space-saving solutions and in the ready availability of equipment.

Within certain limits, the same platform can be easily adapted to the in specific cases (wind turbine size, weather conditions), simply by changing the position of central hinges. It can also be easily scaled and remodeled, thanks to the simplicity of the construction elements.