Floating offshore wind can deliver vast amounts of renewable energy but, until now, it hasn’t been seen as economically viable. With new technologies, however, the CAPEX and OPEX associated with offshore wind farms can be significantly reduced – and slip-forming plays a critical role in this.
Rapid, slip-forming fabrication means our TRIWIND floating platforms can be produced in a matter of days, rather than months. In addition to being a relatively low-cost form of fabrication, slip-forming increases efficiency and enables floating platforms – and entire wind farms – to be developed in a remarkably short timeframe.
What’s more – slip-forming can be used at virtually any port in the world, which means platforms can be built near to the site of installation, thus reducing transport costs and liabilities and enabling local partners and resources to be utilized.
What is slip-forming?
Slip-forming is a construction method that involves concrete being continuously poured into specially created formwork, which acts as a mould and shapes the concrete into the desired configuration.
When constructing vertical structures via slip-forming, the formwork is first configured and stabilized by a central supporting platform. Concrete is poured into the formwork and, as it begins to cure, the formwork is gradually raised. As the formwork is raised, the concrete is continually poured to produce a seam-free vertical monolith.
What makes Beridi's fabrication process different?
Slip-forming is a tried and tested construction method that’s used for a variety of different projects. While some concrete platform designs incorporate slip-forming in their fabrication process, the unique design of Beridi’s TRIWIND platform enables us to leverage the benefits of slip-forming and deliver a fabrication process that’s shorter, safer and cheaper.
Lack of post-tensioning elements
A key advantage of Beridi’s patented TRIWIND design is that it achieves water tightness and structural integrity without relying on post-tensioning elements, simplifying fabrication and reducing associated risks.
Incorporating post-tensioning elements significantly increases the complexity of the slip-forming process. In addition to introducing potential execution risks and unwanted delays, it also increases the cost associated with fabrication and, therefore, leads to a higher CAPEX.
In contrast, TRIWIND platforms maintain a comparatively low CAPEX and accelerated lead time as the need for post-tensioning element is completely negated by our design.
LOW REBAR DENSITY
During the slip-forming process, rebar must be installed progressively as the formwork continuously moves upwards. Therefore, there is a limited timeframe for workers to position and secure the reinforcement before the formwork advances.
Other concrete floating platform designs utilizing slip-forming typically operate with high rebar densities, often exceeding 300kg/m3. However, the rebar density of our TRIWIND platform is significantly lower at around 160kg/m3.
As workers insert the rebar into the concrete during the slip-forming process, a higher rebar density further increases the complexity of the project and means that more work must be completed within a short timeframe. In practical terms, the lower rebar density of our TRIWIND platform translates into a more efficient assembly process, requiring significantly less reinforcement placement compared to other existing alternatives.
Platforms incorporating a rebar density of 300kg+/m3 and post-tensioning elements often require additional fabrication steps, which can extend production timelines and introduce execution challenges. In contrast, the TRIWIND floater simplifies this process, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
As a result, TRIWIND enables offshore wind farm developers, operators and investors to benefit from reduced CAPEX, rapid development and execution, reduced risk and maintenance requirements, lower OPEX and LCOE, and enhanced safety.
FABRICATING TRIWIND FLOATING PLATFORMS AT SCALE
The largest operational floating offshore wind farm, Hywind Tampen, boasts 11 turbines but more established fixed offshore wind farms routinely operate more than 100 turbines, with Dogger Bank offshore wind farm projected to operate 270+ turbines.
As the operational and economic benefits of floating offshore wind are realized, large-scale floating offshore wind farms will be developed too. However, minimizing CAPEX and increasing production efficiency are key to establishing the fiscal viability of such projects.
Our unique TRIWIND design is ideal for commercial-scale developments, partly due to its complete slip-forming fabrication process. When multiple TRIWIND floating platforms are constructed, a gantry slip-forming system can be used to facilitate rapid, round-the-clock fabrication.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TRIWIND FLOATING PLATFORMS
To find out more about our unique TRIWIND design and rapid, slip-forming fabrication methods, get in touch with our expert team today!