On August 13, the world’s largest single-capacity floating wind power platform, OceanX, set sail from Guangzhou, China, marking a significant milestone in offshore wind power technology. Developed by Mingyang Group, this groundbreaking platform embarked on a 191-nautical-mile journey to the Yangjiang Mingyang Qingzhou IV offshore wind farm in Guangdong, setting a new benchmark for the global green energy industry.
The OceanX platform, featuring a unique ‘V’ shape design, is equipped with two 8.3 MW offshore wind turbines, offering a total capacity of 16.6 MW. This state-of-the-art structure is designed for versatile deployment in sea areas with depths exceeding 35 meters, showcasing its adaptability for a variety of marine environments worldwide.
Standing as a colossal feat of engineering, the OceanX impeller reaches a height of 219 meters, with a maximum width of 369 meters. The platform itself displaces 15,000 tonnes of water, with a towing draft of 5.5 meters. Upon becoming operational, it is expected to generate 54 million kWh annually—enough electricity to power 30,000 three-person households for a year.
At the core of OceanX’s innovation is its floating foundation, a critical component for deep-sea wind turbines. Unlike conventional steel floating foundations, OceanX utilises an advanced design featuring three floats, concrete arms, and connectors. This design employs ultra-high-performance concrete, boasting a compressive strength over 115 MPa—four times stronger than standard concrete—enhancing the structure’s load-bearing capabilities.
Mingyang’s use of caisson pre-tensioning technology in the construction process, combined with meticulous control of tensioning forces, ensures the floating foundation’s integrity. The innovative design significantly reduces construction costs through modular manufacturing, setting a new standard for efficiency in the industry.
One of the most notable advancements in the OceanX platform is its integration of two wind turbines on a single floating platform, arranged in a ‘V’ configuration—a first for offshore wind platforms. This design not only optimises wind capture but also reduces the per-kilowatt cost, required sea area, and operational maintenance expenses.
The platform’s tower features an elongated elliptical design, maximising wind exposure and increasing the efficiency of wind energy capture. Additionally, the innovative cable-stayed system, a global first in wind turbine design, redistributes the structural load, significantly lightening the tower’s load and enabling a streamlined design.
OceanX is equipped to face the most extreme marine conditions, including typhoons. Its single-point mooring system allows the platform to yaw with the direction of the wind, ensuring stability and safety even in the face of 360° typhoon loads. The mooring system’s high-precision slewing bearings provide exceptional load-bearing capacity and superior underwater sealing, vital for the platform’s stable maritime operation.
The OceanX platform is not only a marvel of engineering but also a testament to Mingyang’s commitment to advancing offshore wind power technology. Having successfully undergone rigorous testing in Germany’s Lake Quarry and the Baltic Sea, OceanX has proven its resilience and efficiency under extreme conditions, earning a feasibility certificate from DNV.
With the launch of OceanX, Mingyang Group continues to push the boundaries of offshore wind power, driving down the cost per kWh and making green energy more accessible worldwide. This latest advancement represents a new frontier in deep-sea exploration and renewable energy, setting the stage for the future of offshore wind power.
