Guangdong, China, September 12, 2024 — China’s OceanX has successfully deployed the world’s largest single-capacity floating offshore wind turbine, which generates a remarkable 16.6 megawatts (MW) of power. The innovative turbine platform, weighing 15,000 tonnes, features two 8.3 MW turbines and has been installed at the Qingzhou IV Offshore Wind Farm in the South China Sea.
Technical Specifications and Performance The OceanX floating wind turbine is designed for deep-water deployment, capable of operating in zones with depths up to 114 feet. Each turbine blade spans 597 feet in diameter, and the entire platform measures 718 feet in height and 1,210 feet in width. The turbines are rated for speeds up to 22 mph and are strategically positioned to harness strong winds typical of the northern South China Sea. The region’s annual mean wind speed ranges from 9 to 18 mph at 32 feet above the water and can reach up to 22 mph at a height of 328 feet.
Innovative Design and Construction
Developed by Mingyang Smart Energy, the OceanX platform incorporates advanced structural features for improved performance and resilience. The dual-turbine system employs cable-stayed structures that enhance adaptability and reduce structural load by over 50%. The system uses 13 main and six auxiliary cables to stabilize the frame, tower, and foundation, complemented by a single-point mooring system and compound anchoring mechanisms to manage extreme conditions and minimize sea impact.
The turbines leverage the coupled vortex effect, where the twin turbines counter-rotate to reduce efficiency losses. This design enables the turbines to cover a 52,000-square-meter area, with blade tips spaced 16 feet apart to optimize pitch and efficiency. The counter-rotating impellers increase central area wind speed, boosting electricity generation by 4.29% compared to other turbines with similar swept areas.
Durability and Safety Features
OceanX is equipped with typhoon-resistant features, capable of withstanding winds up to 178 mph. The platform’s pontoons are lightweight, enhancing power generation and reliability in high waves. The foundation, made from high-performance concrete, steel, fiber-reinforced plastic, and PVC foam, is notably robust, with compressive strength exceeding 115 megapascals—four times stronger than standard concrete. The blades are constructed from a combination of glass and carbon fiber for optimal performance and weight.
The platform includes an auto-yawing system that maintains stability by orienting the turbines downwind. Additionally, an anti-typhoon backup system halts the turbines when wind speeds exceed 55 mph for 10 minutes, adjusting the blade angle to 90 degrees for stability before reverting to standard settings once conditions normalize.
Next-Generation Technology
The OceanX platform builds on the advancements of Mingyang Smart Energy’s previous MySE 7.25-158 turbine, which was the first semi-submersible “double 100” turbine capable of operating in waters deeper than 100 meters (328 feet) and at distances exceeding 100 kilometers (62 miles) from shore. The MySE 16.X-260 turbine, introduced in 2023, represents a significant upgrade with enhanced floating motion control to adapt to dynamic environmental conditions.
The previous generation system demonstrated its capabilities in the CNOOC Tide project, operating successfully in 393-foot-deep waters near the Wenchang oil fields and withstanding a level 17 typhoon with speeds exceeding 134 mph for 10 minutes.