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As the world drills deeper and deeper for black gold, StatoilHydro is taking a different approach. Partnered with MIT researchers and Technip, StatoilHydro plans on constructing a 65 meter tall turbine with 40 meter long blades.

The turbine will sit on a type of concrete that floats, and will be attached to the sea floor in three places - called anchor points - that will hold it to a certain section of the sea.

Compared to normal wind turbines, the new HyWind turbine will produce consistent electricity due to a constant strong wind rather than the intermittent wind that occurs inland.

Once finished, the HyWind will be shipped 6.2 miles off the coast of Norway.

“If we succeed, then we will have taken a major step in moving the wind power industry offshore. Floating wind turbines can make a major contribution to providing the world with clean power, but there are major technical and commercial challenges that need to be resolved. If we are to succeed, we will need to cooperate closely with the authorities. As with other technologies for renewable energy, floating wind power will be dependent on incentive schemes to be viable,” says Alexandra Bech Gjørv.

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