Disruptive offshore wind pyramid moves to real

T-Omega's pyramid-based floating wind turbines are designed with the sole common-sense focus of keeping the cost of offshore wind down to an absolute minimum. With wave tank testing done, the company has now launched its first real-world prototype.

The idea is quite simple: get rid of the large central pole that offshore turbines have inherited from land-based units. A single central tower will only stay upright, reasons T-Omega, if you've got about four tons under the water for every one ton above the water. And given that wind power needs to scale up to become efficient and cost-competitive, that means an enormous amount of weight, a correspondingly high materials bill, and all manner of logistical issues around manufacturing, installation and maintenance.

T-Omega's idea replaces the massive single-sided pinwheel generators of traditional designs with a double-sided axle supported at both ends, and instead of a single tower reaching down to the waterline, you get four diagonal supports leading down to what's effectively a pyramid base, floated at its four corners. This is anchored to the sea bed with a bit of slack, allowing the whole thing to float around in response to changes in wind direction, passively orienting itself toward the wind at all times.