WindFloat, as Principle’s design is known, underwent a hazard identification study, which seeks to identify “what can go wrong” with the novel system. The feedback from the study is being incorporated into Principle’s engineering design as it seeks “approval in principle” from ABS.
Principle describes WindFloat, design of which was purchased from Marine Innovation and Technology, as a semi-submersible, three-column structure, with a turbine tower, truss and “water entrapment heave plates” at each column’s base, designed to reduce pitch and yaw, and make the entire structure smaller.