China’s floating dual-rotor wind turbine is so sturdy it can operate during hurricanes

In a nutshell: Rather than sticking with the classic single-rotor design, multi-rotor wind turbines split the action across 2-5 blades. The idea is you can extract more power from the wind this way, while also reducing wear and tear on the structure. The problem is that adding those extra rotors makes the whole system more complex. Now, a Chinese company has seemingly struck the right balance between efficiency and complexity with an innovative new platform that not only features two massive blades, but also floats.

MingYang Smart Energy, a wind turbine manufacturer based in Guangdong, has introduced the world’s most powerful floating wind farm platform to date. Called the OceanX, it’s a twin-turbine behemoth packing a staggering 16.6 megawatts of capacity.

This innovative “V-shaped” design is no gimmick. Those counter-rotating blades spanning nearly 600 feet were carefully engineered for optimal wind-harnessing prowess. The OceanX can operate through Category 5 hurricane conditions, rated to withstand winds up to 161 mph and wave heights of 98 feet.

The key lies in the turbines’ full yaw capability, allowing them to turn into the wind no matter which way it’s blowing. MingYang also equipped the platform with a sophisticated single-point mooring system for enhanced stability. And that Y-shaped floating base is constructed from high-performance concrete to be both highly durable and cost-effective.

What really sets the OceanX apart is its ability to operate in deep offshore waters. This floating platform is engineered to function in depths greater than 115 feet, allowing it to tap into prime wind resources farther out at sea. Its offshore wind solutions can actually generate power in waters up to around 300 feet deep and 62 miles from shore.

The output from this installation is enough to provide electricity for a whopping 30,000 Chinese households annually, according to MingYang’s estimates. With each OceanX platform projected to generate around 54,000 megawatt-hours per year, these floating giants could make a real difference when meeting future energy demands.

The project was no overnight success. MingYang tested a 1:10 scale prototype back in 2020 before constructing the full-sized 16,500 ton platform in collaboration with shipbuilding partners. After installation in April, the OceanX is now operational off the coast of Guangzhou.