Eindhoven-based TouchWind, a company that makes wind energy affordable, announced that it has secured a “minority” funding from Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL). The funding amount has not been disclosed.
MOL is investing in the Dutch firm to advance offshore wind energy generation, solidifying their partnership. MOL’s move aligns with the global shift toward cleaner energy sources and sustainability.
How was TouchWind born?
According to TouchWind, it was established in the midst of the growing popularity of nuclear power, a period marked by the Chernobyl disaster that highlighted the risks associated with nuclear energy.
Among the protesters was Rikus van de Klippe, a young aerospace engineering graduate. His combination of skills and curiosity led him to question the conventional wisdom that wind turbines were inherently unstable.
This curiosity laid the foundation for TouchWind’s innovative approach to wind turbine technology, contributing to the ongoing transition towards cleaner and safer energy sources.
In 2016, Rikus van de Klippe initiated a project with basic materials and sketches, and formed a new team. Over the following two years, the team conducted 3D simulations, refined their concepts, and consulted with experts extensively.
Ultimately, their dedication resulted in securing patents for technologies developed over 30 years.
A one-piece rotor
TouchWind has developed a “groundbreaking” one-piece rotor design for wind turbines that can operate in high winds up to 70 m/s, providing significantly increased energy generation compared to conventional turbines that shut down in winds exceeding 25 m/s.
This innovation has also reduced rotor costs by approximately 30 per cent, claims the company, making wind energy production more efficient and cost-effective.
According to IRENA’s 2017 data, 37 per cent of the cost of offshore wind turbines, approximately €7.5M per turbine, is attributed to the support structure, foundation, construction, and installation below the water’s surface.
Building turbines in harbors offers substantial cost reductions. Moreover, floating wind turbines can be placed in deeper seas where faster wind speeds enable higher energy generation.
TouchWind’s rotor design operates by pulling the mast, reducing conflicting forces within the structure. This innovation allows for lighter wind turbines.
Importantly, the mast in TouchWind’s design is estimated to be 50 per cent cheaper than the masts in current wind turbine models. This cost efficiency represents a significant advantage for wind energy projects.
TouchWind’s innovative design
TouchWind Mono’s “innovative” design makes maintenance of sea turbines much more accessible and efficient compared to traditional fixed-mast turbines.
The ability for boats to easily access the rotor via a connecting cable in various weather conditions reduces downtime and results in higher and more consistent energy generation capacity.
Offshore wind turbines are growing larger each year due to the quadratic relationship between rotor diameter and capacity. TouchWind Mono’s one-piece rotor design enhances structural strength, enabling even larger rotor diameters.
For example, a 200-meter rotor can generate 12.5 megawatts of power, enough for approximately 15,000 households. This scalability is driving the expansion of offshore wind energy.
Capital utilisation
TouchWind says it will use the funds to expand field testing of its tilting angled one-piece rotor floating wind turbine and conduct research on positive wake effects in wind energy.
Ryota Hayashi, GM of Wind Power Projects Unit in MOL, says, “We are pleased that we can continue the journey with TouchWind and have become a shareholder of the company as we see exciting potential in their technology.”
Rikus van de Klippe adds, “We have been working together for a year now on the further development of our floating wind turbine. Field testing with a 6m diameter rotor is in full preparation at the Oostvoorne lake in the Netherlands.”
“With MOL as a shareholder and their investments, we can speed up our testing programme, prove our technology and reduce time to market,” adds Van de Klippe.
