The Technology

Deepwater Wind utilizes proven, state-of-the-art “jacket” foundation technology that allows wind turbines to be cost-effectively deployed in water depths up to 150 feet. (Conventional monopiles become costly in more than 70 feet of water.)

Deepwater Wind’s jacket foundation technology is the standard in the offshore oil and gas industries. In fact, the same technology has been used in waters 1,000 feet deep.
Deepwater Wind employs a patent-pending assembly system that eliminates the need for expensive European service vessels, most of which have already been booked years in advance.
Deepwater Wind works only with world-class marinized turbine suppliers, combining proven and reliable technology with state-of-the-art innovation to meet energy demand.
As new innovations are needed, Deepwater Wind will work with leading engineers to develop appropriate solutions—such as tension leg systems for floating turbine platforms, which are already being studied.

In preparation for the jacket, pin piles are sunk deep into the seabed.

A conventional barge carries the jacket to the site, and the jacket is anchored to the piles with marine grout.

The assembly barge is loaded at port with the assembled turbines. The jacket is now ready for turbine installation — in depths of up to 150 feet of water, 20 miles from shore.

The assembly barge approaches the installed jacket.

The assembly barge executes a “float-over” maneuver (state-of-the-art in the oil and gas industries) to position the turbine on the jacket for mating.