Japanese firms to develop next-gen vertical-axis floating wind turbines

A consortium of Japanese firms has been selected to conduct a feasibility study on large-scale floating vertical-axis wind turbines.

The consortium, consisting of Albatross Technology, Electric Power Development, Tokyo Electric Power Company, K-Line, and Sumitomo, will undertake the study as part of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s public call for projects to develop next-generation technologies that help promote the adoption of floating offshore wind power.

Japan expects plenty from offshore wind but given the limited shallow coastal waters around Japan, there is a pressing need to commercialise floating offshore wind technology.

This feasibility study aims to verify the viability of large-scale commercial vertical axis wind turbines, where both the turbine and floating foundation rotate together, as a next-generation technology for floating offshore wind turbines.

The consortium will conduct design work toward obtaining basic design approval. Large-scale vertical axis wind turbines can achieve efficiency comparable to conventional wind turbines, while also enabling the use of smaller and more cost-effective floating structures.

Furthermore, as they can be produced using nearly the same design regardless of differences in water depth or seabed conditions, it is expected that mass deployment will also lead to cost reductions.