AWARD YEAR
2023
CATEGORY
Community
GOALS
Affordable & Clean Energy
KEYWORDS
wind energy, wind turbine, energy, offshore
COUNTRY
Sweden
DESIGNED BY
SeaTwirl
WEBSITE
https://seatwirl.com/
SeaTwirl
The future of offshore wind
How does it work?
SeaTwirl, a company that makes vertical offshore wind turbines that are cheap, effective and hurricane safe. “SeaTwirl’s wind turbines use a vertical-axis wind turbine with a tower connected to the sub-sea structure, consisting of a floating element and a keel. As the energy of the wind causes the turbine to rotate, the structure maintains its stability by using the keel and the counter turning moment, similar to the function of a keel on a sailboat,” said SeaTwirl. The wind turbine, tower and underwater assembly rotate as one unit. Above the water surface but below the turbine is an enclosed generator housing. The entire turbine is held down on the seabed by several mooring lines. This means that SeaTwirl turbines can be used in areas out of reach for traditional offshore turbines, which are limited to a depth of about 50 to 60 meters. SeaTwirl turbines can be anchored in deeper water, which is a unique feature in today’s turbine market.
Why is it needed?
Their anchoring technology open the ocean horizon where it was previously hard to reach for harvesting wind energy. Vertical wind turbines have greater structural strength to withstand hurricane-force winds, which makes them a better investment for offshore wind farms.
How does it improve life?
SeaTwirl and our planet is facing a global challenge. We want to make our contribution to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and significantly reduce its devastating long-term effects on the environment and all other life forms.
We want to be actively involved in keeping the global rise in temperature below the two degree threshold. SeaTwirl believes that clean and affordable energy is vital for our society to prosper.