Single blade floating wind turbines achieve cheaper energy

The idea behind this product is simple. For Dutch company TouchWind, the success of offshore wind does not depend on the height of the turbines, the length of the blades, or the increase or decrease in its ability to produce electricity. No, the bet for this company is something completely different: the number of blades. That’s why they created their own device, a unique single-arm floating wind turbine, which – at least according to scientists… company accounts – It significantly reduces costs and can continue to operate under strong winds.

Less materials, cheaper energy
But is one shovel sustainable?  In current canons, this seems like an unconventional approach, it's true, but this is the strategy followed by the Dutch company TouchWind It chose to increase offshore wind capacity and reduce costs.  As such, its technicians designed the single-blade wind turbine.
In the company's words, it is a “one-piece tilt-rotor floating wind turbine,” a brief description that gives an accurate idea of ​​the two main characteristics of its design.  The first is the fact that it does not require the usual three blades.  The second is that the device plays with the angle of inclination to adapt to the intensity of wind gusts.
TouchWind claims that, with its proposal, it can achieve the square footage any energy utility is looking for.  That is, saving costs and increasing production.  According to officials' statements, its rotors are more economical, as their cost is estimated at 30% compared to traditional turbines.  And that's not all.

The TouchWind rotor retracts the mast, reducing opposing forces in construction.  This allows for a lighter, sleeker wind turbine, but most importantly: a mast that is estimated to be about 50% cheaper than any current wind turbine model.

Explanation of a company based in Eidhioven.
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TouchWind also emphasizes the potential of floating projects like its own, due to their logistical advantages and the potential to be opened offshore, where they can reach great depths and strong winds.
What about power?
The company says it has a functional, autonomous three-metre rotor, and claims that with a 200-metre rotor, it can generate 12.5 megawatts of power, enough to power 15,000 homes.  By using a single piece, the company claims its design provides “greater construction strength,” which in turn allows it to achieve larger diameters.
In addition to having a single blade, perhaps the greatest feature of her prototype, which she repeatedly refers to as the “TouchWind Mono,” is another: its ability to tilt and adjust to the force of the wind.

Current wind turbines are designed to stop operating when wind speeds exceed 25 m/s.  Mono doesn't do this.  Since the rotor finds the correct position automatically, it can withstand wind speeds of up to 70 m/s.  As a result: more energy.

said Ricus van de Klippe, founding CEO of the company.
In addition to these characteristics, there are still other characteristics that should be highlighted.  For example, the structure facilitates maintenance, allowing it to operate for a longer period.

The boat can hold the cable connecting the buoy to the rotor in most weather conditions.  There is no need for helicopters or cranes.  This means less downtime.

Clip added.

Beyond theory, the proposal has proven interesting enough to actually attract industry interest.  It was recently announced that Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has decided to invest in the company and acquire a minority stake.
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According to officials from the Dutch company, this infusion of resources will allow them to expand their field tests and conduct new research.  Currently, the site chosen to install the six-metre-diameter rotor is Lake Oostvoorn, in the Netherlands.