Offshore Wind Researchers to Focus on Floating Structures
Offshore engineering firm Deep Research Technology, Inc. (DRT) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore (TVO) to collaborate on developing innovative support structures for large offshore wind turbines, Houston-based DRT recently reported.
“This MOU is a major step forward in the work DRT is doing in the renewables sector to develop technologies that enable affordable energy,” remarked John Halkyard, co-founder and chairman of Houston-based DRT. “Our team began working in marine renewables more than a decade ago with a focus on ocean thermal energy conversion, and we continue to develop solutions that will facilitate the ongoing energy transition. It is exciting for our experts to be taking on this new challenge with the support of the TVO team, with its impressive track record for developing novel concepts for economic, offshore oil and gas extraction.”
One facet of the MOU will entail DRT and TVO investigating how to adapt novel offshore oil and gas platforms for large wind turbines, and the firms are awaiting U.S. Department of Energy funding for the study via the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium, DRT stated. The company explained the initiative will concentrate on developing designs for very large fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind turbines that can be built economically to expedite offshore wind energy development.
“TVO was built on creating thinking, and our team is looking forward to putting our expertise to work with the experts at DRT to help resolve the technical challenges that will enable affordable offshore wind energy,” concluded TVO CEO Jim Maher.