Unmoored: a free-floating wind turbine invention and autonomous open-ocean wind farm concept

Abstract

This paper contributes to emerging deep offshore wind literature by presenting the design for a novel free-floating offshore wind turbine for deep water use. The wind turbine uses one large underwater propeller to maintain its position and move as needed, while two small propellers turn the unit. This allows access to areas of high energy production potential in the open ocean out of reach to contemporary floating wind turbines, which are anchored to the seabed. An autonomous ocean-based wind farm concept is also presented. Together, the semi-autonomous wind turbines form a floating wind farm in the open ocean. A separate unit uses electricity from the wind turbines to produce climate-neutral fuels such as hydrogen (H2) and ammonia (NH3) for transport and eventual use.