Caterpillar to Supply Generator Power for WindFloat Prototype Project

June 13, 2012

Caterpillar announced it has been selected to supply generator power to Principle Power, a renewable energy technology developer, for its WindFloat Prototype project. The grid-connected floating structure supports a Vestas V80-2.0 MW turbine, with an Olympian™ GEP 88-4 generator set for standby power, rated at 88.0 kVA. The deal was handled by Cat® dealer Barloworld STET, located in Prior Velho, Portugal.

The project is being carried out by WindPlus, a joint-venture company led by Portuguese energy group EDP. Using pioneering technology for floating wind power generation units, the project is being tested five kilometers (three miles) offshore near the northern town of Povoa do Varzim, Portugal. Like deepwater drilling applications, wind and the waves will both be affecting the platform at any one time, making stability key. The Olympian generator set was used during offshore transport, and for standby power following installation.

According to Principle Power, the Olympian generator sets were selected because of their proven reliability and because of the company’s relationship with STET. “Our Cat dealer helped us design a solution that would stand up to the harsh conditions of the marine environment,” said Craig Andrus of Principle Power. “We also had a critical delivery schedule that had to be met, and knew our Cat dealer would achieve it.”

The innovative features of the WindFloat dampen wave and turbine induced motion, enabling wind turbines to be sited in previously inaccessible locations, where water depth exceeds 50 meters (165 feet), and wind resources are superior. Further, economic efficiency is maximizedby reducing the need for offshore heavy lift operations during final assembly, deployment and commissioning. Principle Power reports that many similar projects are in development for the installation of commercial WindFloat units at European and U.S. offshore wind farms.

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Offshore WIND staff, June 13, 2012; Image: caterpillar