T-Omega Wind, a US startup, has recently launched a 1:16 prototype of its pyramid-shaped floating wind platform off the coast of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The nearly 12-meter high structure is designed to reduce both capital and operational costs in the emerging offshore wind sector. The pyramid-shaped steel platform features a horizontal-axis rotor and generator at its apex, anchored to the seabed via a single mooring line.

The innovative design incorporates floats with shallow drafts, aiming to cut material use, simplify manufacturing, and enable deployment from existing shallower harbors. T-Omega Wind asserts that the lightweight design and simplified maintenance procedures of its platform will result in significant cost savings. Chief Commercial Officer Dave Forbes emphasized the company's commitment to addressing industry demands for a lower levelized cost of energy, simplified manufacturing, local production, job creation, and scalability.

T-Omega Wind's prototype recently commenced a 60-day testing period, following wave tank tests at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland last year. The company is focused on validating computation models related to passive alignment, wave motions, hub and mooring accelerations, and force and high-speed towing capabilities during this testing phase. Although the pilot project does not currently export electrical power to shore, T-Omega Wind aims to start testing and pre-certification of a full-scale, grid-connected turbine by 2026, with discussions underway for a commercial production launch with a global turbine maker within four years.

Source: windpowermonthly.com