Caterpillar to Supply WindFloat Project

Caterpillar selected to supply generating standby power for pioneering Floating Wind Solutions Project

Caterpillar announce it has been selected to supply generator power to Principle Power, a renewable energy technology developer, for its WindFloat Prototype project.

The grid-connected floating structure supports a Vestas V80-2.0 MW turbine, with an OlympianTM GEP 88-4 generator set for standby power, rated at 88.0 kVA. The deal was handled by Cat® dealer Barloworld STET, located in Prior Velho, Portugal.

The project is being carried out by WindPlus, a joint-venture company led by Portuguese energy group EDP.

Using pioneering technology for floating wind power generation units, the project is being tested five kilometers (three miles) offshore near the northern town of Povoa do Varzim, Portugal.

Like deepwater drilling applications, wind and the waves will both be affecting the platform at any one time, making stability key.

The Olympian generator set was used during offshore transport, and for standby power following installation. According to Principle Power, the Olympian generator sets were selected because of their proven reliability and because of the company’s relationship with STET.

The innovative features of the WindFloat dampen wave and turbine induced motion, enabling wind turbines to be sited in previously inaccessible locations, where water depth exceeds 50 meters (165 feet), and wind resources are superior.

Further, economic efficiency is maximized by reducing the need for offshore heavy lift operations during final assembly, deployment and commissioning.