Offshore staff
POTSDAM, Germany – Floating WINDdesal (FWD) is a new concept comprising a seawater desalination plant and an offshore wind turbine, both supported by a floating semisubmersible structure.
The first implementation could begin in the Middle East region later this year.
FWD is a European industry initiative involving thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, CRIST Shipyard, SYNLIFT Industrial Products (SIP), Prysmian Group, Boll & Kirch Filterbau, AEROVIDE, StoGda Ship Design & Engineering, and EMS Maritime Offshore.
Potsdam-based SIP is responsible for project management and general planning, based on its experience in the field of seawater desalination powered by renewable energies.
The proposed FWD seawater desalination process, powered almost entirely by wind energy, involves a combination of flexible processing, integrated energy and load management and long blade wind technology.
Currently three module sizes are in preparation, with respective water treatment capacities of 15,000, 30,000 and 50,000 cu m/d (529,720/1.06 MM/1.76 MM cu ft/d), with the largest module said to provide drinking water for up to half a million people.
Use of the semisubmersible support structure, derived in part from deepwater drilling rigs and production platforms, is said to make the concept suitable for deepwater locations with a minimized impact of seawater desalination on the maritime and terrestrial environment.
The floating utility solution is also designed for swift mobilization at short notice.
Joachim Käufler of SIP said: “If necessary, the entire plant can be relocated by sea. As a result of that, the requirement for customers to provide securities and guarantees – indispensable for the long-term operation of stationary onshore desalination plants – is significantly reduced or, at best, not required at all.
“FWD is therefore intended to enable sustainable and cost-effective seawater desalination even in locations where conventional desalination could not be financed.”
02/17/2021
