Technology cooperation on full-scale floating wind turbines

(Illustration: Solberg Production)

(June 26, 2007) Hydro and Siemens Power Generation have entered into an agreement to cooperate on technology to develop floating wind turbines (June 26, 2007) Hydro and Siemens Power Generation have entered into an agreement to cooperate on technology to develop floating wind turbines based on Hydro's Hywind concept. Siemens will deliver the first wind turbine for the demonstration unit, which will be positioned off the coast of Norway.ocating wind turbines offshore has obvious advantages, such as reduced visual impact and increased power production due to strong and stable wind conditions.

AGREEMENT SIGNED: From left, Henrik Stiesdal, Chief Technical Officer of Siemens, Kai Lueg, Chief Financial Officer of Siemens, and Alexandra Bech Gjørv, head of the New Energy area of Hydro. (Photo: Britt Hage)

Floating offshore turbines could be installed at sites with greater water depths. Hydro currently has a license to place a demonstration turbine offshore near Karmøy, an island in the southwest of Norway. The company is also considering the possibility of locating the wind turbine near an oil installation with the aim of supplying it with renewable energy.

"We are pleased to get Siemens on the team," said Alexandra Bech Gjørv, head of Hydro's New Energy area. "Siemens Power Generation is already a leading supplier of offshore wind turbines on fixed foundations. This new technology partnership will give us a leap forward in installing the world’s first floating wind turbine at sea."

(Illustration: Solberg Production)

"The best possible position"

"Making floating offshore foundations commercially viable is a significant technological challenge," said Andreas Nauen, head of the Siemens PG Wind Power division. "Entering this strategic agreement with Hydro puts us in the best possible position to further expand our proven technology and leading position in the growth market sector of offshore wind farms."

Hydro has a wide-ranging portfolio in new energy and is a major player in wind power in Norway. The company contributes to a number of hydrogen projects in Europe, and earlier this month opened the company’s first hydrogen filling station in Norway.

Hydro is also part owner of the wave power company Ocean Power Delivery which is to construct the world’s first commercial wave power station off the coast of Portugal.

• In brief: The Power Generation Group (PG) of Siemens AG is one of the premier companies in the international power generation sector. In fiscal 2006, which ended September 30, Siemens PG posted sales amounting to more than EUR 10 billion and received new orders totaling EUR 12.5 billion, according to US GAAP. Group profit amounted to EUR 782 million. On September 30, 2006, PG had a work force of approximately 36,400 worldwide.