Hydraulic engineering and offshore renewable energy specialist HR Wallingford is part of a team carrying out testing for a new offshore wind foundation design called a gravity tripod. The company is working with Offshore Design Engineering, DNV GL, Cambridge University and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult to test and certify the new concept. HR Wallingford said the gravity tripod has been designed by Offshore Wind Logistics and Construction. The testing is funded by the UK's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. DNV GL will certify the design in preparation for demonstration of a prototype gravity tripod structure. Design work and optimisation is being undertaken by Offshore Design Engineering, with testing of the physical components conducted by ORE Catapult. Cambridge University will conduct geotechnical sediment modelling, looking at the interaction between the structure and sea bed. HR Wallingford will conduct physical model testing to investigate the loads applied to the structure during installation, exposure to large waves once in place and the amount of erosion or scour that may develop around the base of the structure if left unprotected. HR Wallingford business development manager for research David Todd said: “We are looking forward to working with Offshore Wind Logistics and Construction on this exciting new foundation concept. “The foundation will be subjected to rigorous physical testing in the fast flow facility, a unique wave-current-sediment flume designed for the offshore wind market, making it the ideal location for installation, survival and scour testing of offshore wind foundations.” Offshore Wind Logistics and Construction director Matt Bleasdale said: “The gravity tripod is a unique structure combining the best aspects of other foundation concepts into one low cost solution. “It requires no piling, is low drag, low scour, and installed with minimal seabed intervention. “The structure is able to accommodate turbines from 3 to 16MW, and, having been designed for low bearing pressures, is capable of accommodating a wider range of seabed types, with less seabed preparation, than other gravity base designs. “The UK is leading the world in the development of offshore wind technology. “HR Wallingford is a world-leading organisation in physical modelling, scour evaluation and scour protection design, and forms part of a team of world class expertise helping us deliver this project, which we believe will create real cost savings within the industry.”
A group of organisations from the UK has started testing an offshore wind foundation called a gravity tripod. Civil engineering firm HR Wallingford has joined up with Offshore Design Engineering, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Cambridge University and DNV GL to trial the design. It has been developed to accommodate turbines up to 16 MW and incorporates the benefits of other foundation concepts at a lower cost, with reduced seabed intervention. The project will monitor how the tripod's structure interacts with the seabed and how it holds up against exposure to large waves.