Floating offshore wind
Floating offshore turbines access stronger winds in deeper waters but introduce new engineering and operational challenges. We combine physical and numerical modelling, metocean forecasting, engineering and simulation to de‑risk design, deployment and performance. We are planning the UK's first proposed deep‑water testing facility, strengthening national capability for FLOW innovation, validation and certification.
Why floating offshore wind is growing
Countries are planning to scale up floating offshore wind to reach net‑zero targets where deeper waters rule out fixed foundations. Further offshore, winds are stronger and more consistent, improving energy yield. The UK aims for in excess of 30 GW offshore wind ambition.
Engineering and environmental challenges in floating offshore wind
As floating wind expands, developers must balance platform stability with harsher wind‑wave conditions, design moorings and anchors for varied seabeds, manage fatigue in structures, risers and rope moorings, and plan safe towing and wet‑storage operations. Cable failure, seabed interaction, and port capacity constraints remain major risks. Many ports require significant enhancement to accommodate large‑scale floating turbine assembly and marshalling. With limited large‑scale testing facilities and growing environmental expectations, it is vital to reduce uncertainty early.
How HR Wallingford reduces risk across floating wind projects
We integrate physical modelling with advanced numerical analysis to optimise hydrodynamics, mooring design, and dynamic cable systems. High‑resolution metocean and response‑based forecasts guide safe design, construction and operation while our engineering and navigation teams support assembly and installation planning, scour protection and cable systems. Our underwater noise tools also support strong, evidence‑based environmental assessments.
UK deep‑water testing facility for floating offshore wind
HR Wallingford is helping shape the UK’s first proposed national deep‑water testing facility for floating offshore wind. With early design funded through The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator, the 40 m × 40 m × 6 m tank will enable certification‑grade physical testing of floating platforms, moorings and dynamic cables under multi‑directional waves, offering validation beyond numerical modelling and accelerating safe commercial deployment.
Impact of our floating offshore wind support
Our integrated approach reduces design uncertainty, improves safety, cuts weather downtime and supports robust consenting. Ports, developers and regulators benefit from clearer planning, better risk reduction and improved operational confidence, delivering cleaner, more reliable energy for communities.
Floating offshore wind expertise
Scale testing of platform motions, wave loading and mooring behaviour in large basins to validate and de risk designs.
Design and assessment of catenary and shared mooring systems to balance footprint, reliability and cost.
Modelling and protection strategies for inter array and export cables, including fatigue and stabilisation.
Assessment of fatigue life for substructures, moorings and cables under continuous wind wave loading to extend asset life and improve safety.
High resolution wind, wave, water level and current modelling with response based forecasts for construction and O&M.
Capacity studies, navigation simulation and planning for assembly, marshalling, wet storage and tow out.
Noise propagation and satellite enhanced background mapping to support environmental assessments.
Assessment of sediment mobility and scour to inform foundation, anchor and cable protection design.
Simulation based studies to define safe weather limits, routes and operational envelopes for tow out and maintenance.
Evidence led studies to support consenting and biodiversity outcomes.
Technical leadership shaping the UK’s proposed deep water test facility for certification grade FLOW trials.
Get in touch
Iain Gunn
