Japanese Consortium Developing Next-Gen Floating Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

September 11, 2024, by Adnan Memija

A consortium of five Japanese companies, Albatross Technology (Albatross), Electric Power Development (J-Power), Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line), and Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering (wholly owned by Sumitomo Heavy Industries), has been selected to conduct a feasibility study on large-scale floating vertical axis wind turbines.

The consortium will conduct the feasibility study on large-scale floating vertical axis wind turbines as part of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s (NEDO) public call for projects to develop next-generation technologies that help promote the adoption of floating offshore wind power.

The study aims to verify the viability of large-scale commercial vertical axis (floating axis) wind turbines, where both the turbine and floating foundation rotate together.

According to the press release, the consortium will conduct design work toward obtaining basic design approval.

The consortium said that large-scale vertical axis wind turbines can achieve efficiency comparable to conventional (horizontal axis) wind turbines while enabling smaller and more cost-effective floating structures.

Since these could be produced with similar designs despite variations in water depth and seabed conditions, it is expected that mass deployment will also lead to cost reductions.

In May 2023, J-Power, TEPCO, Chubu Electric Power, “K” Line, and Albatross entered into a joint research agreement for a next-generation floating axis wind demonstration project offshore Japan.

The companies plan to develop a small-scale experimental floating axis wind turbine (FAWT) that will be installed in Japanese waters.

One of its main features is that the wind turbine can be tilted 20 degrees at maximum output, as it is designed to maintain effectiveness even when tilted, which could allow for downsizing for the floating foundation and reduce equipment costs.