摘要 |
A floating support structure (10) for a wind turbine (70) and a method of installing a floating wind turbine (70) is disclosed. The structure comprises a base member (12) having an inner wall (14) and an outer wall (16) and a first space (18) defined between the inner (14) and outer (16) walls. A support member (20) has a first end (22) housed within the base member (12) so as to define a second space (24) between the base member (12) and the support member(20), and a second end (23) to which the turbine (70) is mountable. The support member (20) is longitudinally movable relative to the base member(12). There are first (26) and second (28) flow control devices for respectively controlling the introduction and withdrawal of liquid to and from the first (18) and second (24) spaces. A floatation device (30) is attached to the support member (20) such that the support member (20) will move longitudinally relative to the base member (12) when liquid is introduced or withdrawn from the second space (24) by the second flow control device(28). The base (12) and support (20) members are towed to a desired location to be installed and liquid is introduced to the second space (24) via the second flow control device (28) such that the support member (20) will rise relative to the base member (12) to an extended position. |