DNV GL Writes New Rules on Floating Wind

International certification body DNV GL has issued a revised standard for the design of floating wind turbine structures and a new guideline for the certification of floating wind turbines.

The technical standard for the design of floating wind turbine structures, DNV GL-ST-0119, and the new service guideline for the certification of floating wind turbines, DNVGL-SE-0422 are applicable for the entire floating structure, from the control of the single turbine and floater to mooring and anchors of the complete wind farm, DNV GL said.

Together, the two documents define design and certification requirements for floating offshore wind turbine concepts, prototypes and projects.

The role of offshore wind, including floating offshore wind energy, will grow significantly over the coming decades. In its recently published Energy Transition Outlook report DNV GL forecasts that by 2050, 12% of world primary energy supply will come from wind energy of which 20% will come from offshore wind. In relative terms, offshore wind is growing 85-fold (2050 vs 2016), which is the same growth rate as for Solar PV (also 85-fold).

DNV GL has developed the technical guidelines based on the experience from research projects and verification of existing floating wind prototypes and pilot wind farms. Furthermore, the documents are built on DNV GL’s experience in the oil & gas and bottom-fixed offshore wind industry by referencing proven standards, in addition to addressing specific floating wind challenges.

The complete certification process is aligned with existing bottom-fixed wind turbine certification schemes.

“DNV GL sees a promising future for floating offshore wind with innovative concepts unlocking a major global potential for harvesting offshore wind resources,” said Kim Mørk, Executive Vice President, Renewables Certification at DNV GL.

”The technology is maturing and we have therefore revised the standard and launched the service document for floating wind turbines. We are confident that this will support further development of floating wind as a competitive technology for making the energy future safer, smarter and greener.”