SAITEC is working on their floating ‘Swinging Around Twin Hull’ (SATH) concept and has asked ECN to quantify the benefits of their new concept. Perhaps the most unique feature of SAITEC’s solution is the single point mooring. Two twin concrete hulls are fastened to a single mooring point with a bearing.
It allows the platform to swing around this point. ECN calculated that connecting to one single point shortens the installation time and makes it easier and cheaper to bring back the turbine to harbour for replacement of large components. Another cost and time reduction lies in the fact that all platform and turbine equipment is assembled at the harbour. This reduces offshore operations to a minimum. Also, the use of concrete instead of steel has positive impact on the maintenance costs because effects such as corrosion will not occur.