Vryhof, however, designed various completely differently-looking anchor models. Over the years, a range of anchoring solutions from classic ship anchors have evolved into hinge-type anchors which are still widely used in shipping. Vryhof was selected to become the first and only non-Japanese hardware supplier for Fukushima Forward. After in-house evaluation, we offered our drag embedded STEVSHARK ® anchor for the project.” Initially, one anchor was purchased and subjected to an extensive full scale testing program. These soils would be hard to penetrate with local anchoring technology, creating fear for projects costs. Their soil analysis had unexpectedly revealed much more difficult soil conditions at the various platform installation sites. Senol Ozmutlu: “ Prior to the first phase of Fukushima Forward we were called in by the developers. In addition, we mention the first floating turbine in the US (VolturnUS), Japan’s Skwid wind/wave project, and several floating wave and tidal energy devices.

The cumulative track record also includes the prestigious Fukushima Forward demonstration project in Japan, comprising two Hitachi turbines of 2MW and 5MW each, one 7MW hydraulic Mitsubishi turbine, and a floating 66kV substation. We commenced with mooring systems supplied to Statoil’s Hywind Demo 2.3MW spar prototype in 2009, and Principle Power’s 2MW semi-submersible prototype a year later. And as part of that dedication Vryhof supported many early developers as well.

The past decade our Project Director Senol Ozmutlu devoted significant time and effort in development floating offshore systems. Most probably already within two to four years. Regarding floating offshore wind energy Vryhof expects rapid future technological and commercial progress towards pre-commercial and the first (modest) commercial-scale windfarms. Vryhof are their mooring solutions partner.

Contracted by the Spanish construction group Cobra, BOURBON completed the installation of the first floating wind turbine at the Kincardine site, 15 kilometers off the coast of Aberdeen.

Instaling Sea Horizon