Floating wind turbines are rapidly increasing in size and complexity. To keep pace with this development, MARIN has introduced a next‑generation wind setup that enables high‑fidelity testing of advanced floating wind systems.
The new facility generates a fully controlled, high‑quality wind field that can be seamlessly combined with realistic waves, currents and water depths. This integrated environment allows designers and developers to validate their floating wind concepts at a scale and level of accuracy that were previously out of reach.
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Model scale 40
The new wind machine measures 7 metres high and 9 metres wide. It is four times larges than MARIN‘s old wind field. This allows MARIN to test a 15-MW wind turbine at model scale 40 instead of model scale 60.
The machine consists of 48 identical wind tunnel modules. The result is a high-quality wind field with a low turbulence level. Each module can be controlled individually. This allows MARIN to create any wind field needed for testing from a uniform wind field to realistic boundary layers and wind speed variations over time.
SCALEWIND JIP
The new setup will be used for high‑fidelity model testing for floating wind in the SCALEWIND joint industry project (JIP). This project brings together companies and knowledge partners to explore the full potential of this new testing capability. New participants can still join.
With this innovation, MARIN strengthens its role in accelerating the development of the next generation of floating wind energy. The enhanced test infrastructure supports earlier and more reliable design decisions, contributing to safer, more efficient and cost‑effective offshore wind solutions.
Picture: The new wind machine measures 7 metres high and 9 metres wide (image video still from the video above by MARIN).
