Researchers at the Norwegian institute Sintef are testing a special floating structure that Equinor wants to deploy in offshore waters. The structure is built with an anchoring system that is claimed to give the installation enough freedom to cope with the waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Norwegian independent research organization Sintef<\/a> has been tasked by Norwegian energy giant Equinor<\/a>, and Vollsveien-based engineering specialist Moss Maritime \u2013 a unit of Italian gas contractor Saipem<\/a> \u2013 with testing a model of a prototype of an offshore floating solar plant that Equinor and Saipem want to bring to offshore waters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The test was conducted on a floating structure with 64 modules on a 1:13 scale, in an artificial ocean basin in which waves, wind, and currents can be simulated in real-time. The model of the floating array was equipped with sensors that collected wave information, movement and loads in the mooring and connection points. Moss Maritime is using these data to calibrate its numerical model, which will later be used to design and optimize the real installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first test, Sintex experts stated, showed the floating system design for offshore location is able to withstand the simulated, difficult environmental conditions of the Norwegian Sea, where the model should be applied for a pilot project under development by Equinor off the island of Froya, near Trondheim<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n