Mingyang has officially commenced operations of its innovative floating foundation, the OceanX, designed to host two turbines with a total capacity exceeding 16MW. The OceanX platform is installed at Mingyang’s Yangjiang Qingzhou IV offshore wind farm, situated 70 km from the shore of Guangdong at a depth of 45 meters.
Platform Specifications
The OceanX platform features two 8.3MW offshore wind turbines, resulting in a combined capacity of 16.6MW. Towering at 219 meters at its highest point and spanning approximately 369 meters in width, this massive structure displaces around 15,000 tons of water and is suitable for deployment in global waters exceeding 35 meters in depth.
Innovative Design and Challenges
The unique design of OceanX incorporates two side-by-side wind turbines with counter-rotating blades, which presents new challenges for commissioning. To ensure synchronized operation and eliminate discrepancies between the turbines, Mingyang has conducted thorough analyses. It has successfully synchronized the operation of both “mirror” turbines, allowing them to operate simultaneously at the same frequency, achieving harmonious performance of the dual engines.
Enhanced Power Generation
Upon operation, OceanX’s counter-rotating impellers boost wind speed in the central area, enhancing air kinetic energy conversion. This innovative setup increases power generation by 4.29% compared to a single turbine with an equivalent swept area.
Technical Innovations
The deployment of OceanX introduces unique challenges in cable-laying due to the distance and depth of installation. The single-point mooring system requires cables to have a wider range of motion, necessitating careful routing to avoid interference and ensure safety. Mingyang has implemented a “dynamic and static cable combination” design, incorporating dynamic cables with a double-hump design for platform offset and enhanced safety.
Additionally, the use of dynamic-static transition technology eliminates cable joints, improving efficiency, corrosion resistance, and adaptability to marine conditions.
Reliability and Autonomy
Comprehensive testing ensures the reliability of the wind turbines. OceanX can initiate startup and operation using its own power and control systems without external power, a process known as “self-starting” or “autonomous start-up.” It has also successfully tested in island mode, validating its independent operation and stability off-grid.
Mingyang’s OceanX platform represents a significant advancement in offshore wind technology, combining innovative design, enhanced power generation capabilities, and robust operational reliability. This project highlights the future potential of floating wind farms in renewable energy generation.
Sources
- Mingyang Wind Power – OceanX Overview
- Offshore Wind Industry – Innovations in Floating Platforms
- Renewable Energy World – Latest Developments in Offshore Wind
