Generating clean energy at sea has always seemed like a distant dream. This is largely due to the ocean’s relentlessness, unpredictable winds, and the engineering required to deal with it all being somewhat complicated. In other words, it was the stuff of science fiction for most engineers until recently. But now, straight from the Canary Islands, a new milestone has just been achieved: a new floating wind turbine invention that not only survived maritime conditions but also generated its first kilowatt. It seems small, but it’s a giant leap for the renewable energy sector, and the curious thing is that this idea was considered “impossible” more than 50 years ago.
Fixed turbines had their moment: now wind power floats free
All of this was possible thanks to a robust, floating, and incredibly sophisticated prototype created by the Spanish company X1 Wind. Meet the X30 prototype, installed in the deep waters of the Canary Islands, which produced its first charge of electricity, successfully transmitted via a submarine cable to an offshore platform connected to the power grid. This structure floats, orients itself according to the wind direction, and uses an innovative type of anchoring called a Tension Leg Platform (TLP), which drastically reduces its impact on the seabed.
This new technology is important because it preserves the local ecosystem, allows coexistence with other maritime activities (such as fishing or transportation), and, most importantly, allows installations in locations where fixed turbines would never operate. Behind this feat is the PivotBuoy Project, a European project coordinated by X1 Wind with support from companies such as DNV, EDP NEW, ABB, and cutting-edge research centers such as DTU and PLOCAN. The mission is to make floating wind power lighter, cheaper, and more viable on a large scale.
The idea they laughed at in 1970 now it’s powering the deep sea
Now, here’s the most fascinating detail of this whole story: this idea originated in the 1970s and was long considered unfeasible. The concept of floating wind turbines was initially proposed by engineer William E. Heronemus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. At the time, he spoke of offshore platforms that would generate clean energy miles from the coast.
At the time, the proposal seemed absurd, the cost was prohibitive, naval technology wasn’t ready, and, most importantly, the climate emergency we have today didn’t yet exist. The response from the scientific community and the market? A resounding “that will never work.” Well, fifty years later, a team in Barcelona took this “impossible” concept, tweaked it, added innovation and international collaboration, and finally put it to work (just as Brazil did when it created a shocking beast that transforms 29 billion liters of water into energy).
From symbolic to scalable — The floating turbine that could power thousands
It’s worth noting that this first kilowatt isn’t just symbolic; it has a huge potential impact. With the X30 operational, X1 Wind is already developing larger platforms with a capacity of 15MW and beyond, enough to power thousands of homes. And best of all, in deepwater locations, where winds are more constant and powerful.
Furthermore, this TLP vertical mooring system allows for less seabed space, which is excellent for preserving biodiversity. The platform’s modular design also means it can be easily scaled, leveraging larger turbines, with less structural material and lower maintenance costs. Essentially, this type of solution is especially promising for countries with deep coastlines, low coastal density, and high wind potential, such as Japan, Norway, Brazil, and parts of the US. In other words, we’re not just talking about innovation: we’re talking about real viability on a global scale… just as Finland is producing ‘perfect energy’ with this colorful water lily.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of events affecting companies is purely informative and descriptive. Under no circumstances does it seek to promote an opinion or create a trend, nor can it be taken as investment advice or a recommendation of any kind.
