TL/DR –
Ocergy’s OCG-Wind might just be the lifeline the U.S. offshore wind industry needs, it’s a lightweight floating wind platform that’s cheaper and faster to build. This San Francisco startup is reinventing the wheel with an offshore turbine that not only runs at or close to 100% of the time, but its modular design allows for local assembly, streamlining production costs and time. And let’s not forget, it can handle the supersized turbines of today while combating the roll and pitch of the sea – this ain’t your grandma’s wind turbine.
US firm Ocergy sets sail for new frontiers in the US offshore wind industry, welcoming a new investor to help fast-track their commercialization plans for a lightweight floating wind platform. Their hyper-local manufacturing model aims to slash costs and accelerate assembly.
Ocergy’s Rising Star
Known for its game-changing floating wind technology, Ocergy is a San Francisco startup making waves since 2019. It’s committed to introducing cost-saving industrial practices to the emerging field of floating wind.
Its flagship product, the OCG-Wind, is a floating platform for offshore wind turbines boasting three key design principles: low Levelized Cost Of Electricity, the ability to generate electricity at or close to full capacity almost all the time, and a unique industrial process for large-scale production.
Revolutionizing Offshore Wind Turbines
Ocergy has designed a platform that can accommodate today’s mammoth wind turbines. The four-column floating platform design provides stability and efficiency while coping with the forces of stormy weather and unpredictable waves.
The ever-innovative Ocergy also emphasizes that this platform design can be set up in shallower waters, potentially opening up more local construction sites. The construction process is streamlined and the platform can be balanced without the need to re-adjust it during turbine assembly.
Cutting Costs, Increasing Efficiency
Ocergy’s strategy also includes using lighter steel instead of conventional concrete hulls, simplifying final assembly and fabrication, while also boosting efficiency. Its modular fabrication/local assembly approach is becoming a standard in the offshore wind industry.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Among the contributors to this initiative is Ocergy investor Moreld Ocean Wind, a Norwegian firm aiming to execute large, complex offshore wind projects. In addition to Moreld, Ocergy has also secured investments from the fast-growing firm, Octopus Energy.
Recharging the US Offshore Wind Industry
The US offshore wind industry has had its ups and downs in the wake of changing government policies and technological advancements. New York remains a prime example of these challenges, as the state continues to seek replacement contracts for offshore wind.
Despite these challenges, Ocergy is charging ahead, targeting the Pacific coast for US floating wind deployment. Keep an eye on Ocergy as they continue to disrupt the field with their cost-cutting technologies.
Original Story at cleantechnica.com
