The Hexicon Concept is based on a floating offshore type platform which incorporates available, existing and verified off-shore technologies and applications. A platform, large enough to be installed in areas not previously even considered.
Such a platform is also possible to locate out of sight. It has a built in ability to eliminate most of the known maintenance and breakdown problems of today's offshore applications. Therefore, it will represent an attractive, competitive and economical alternative for offshore and "far" offshore renewable energy solutions.
A concept incorporating a floating off-shore platform as a base for wind power at sea was initially discussed with “GL” Germanischer Lloyd Classification Society in Oslo, 2003. As a result of the ongoing R&D and commercialization of the patented Fagerdala Marine Hull System for ships and the advantages this system represented, it was also found to be of excellent value to floating platforms in an offshore environment.
“GL” has for years been involved in and looked at different applications both on and off-shore to facilitate a better environment for economical implementations of wind generated power. Fagerdala Hull System applied in combination with a floating platform offers many of these benefits. Conventional monopile or tripods for wind power offshore lack associated benefits and this type of protection today.
The Hexicon-Platform is equipped with Fagerdala's specific patented insulating yacht- and ship hull system. This system is based on a patented application of an unbalanced sandwich foam / composite structure on an inner metal hull with an outer layer of fibre glass. The system offers benefits such as a perfectly controlled environment, proper humidity, temperature, no condensation or corrosion and an absence of salt indoors. Subsequently it provides a very good protection and insulation from harsh weather conditions. A system which provides a very good “indoor” environment where sensitive equipment and gears are in operation 24/7.
This hull system was initially developed some 20 years ago by Sven Jönsson, from Dalarö, Stockholm. Over the years this system has been further developed and is as a result now also suitable for commercial applications and different types of ships such as yachts, military vessels, tankers and cruise ships. The system offers a much extended life-span with drastically reduced need for maintenance. It is extremely valuable as a component when incorporated with the offshore platform hull and even more so for all sensitive gear(s) installed on board. The Hexicon concept including this system allows for a long-term approach, redundancy and longevity which translate into better economy.
This offshore platform was ultimately shaped as a “Hexagon”. It has been designed by Ocke Mannerfelt Design Team in Sweden. The HEXICON concept, platform and hull-system has been researched and developed over the past 6 years to conform to best efficiency, flexibility, range of motion and strength in comparison to weight in mind. A specific feature offers to anchor the platform while at the same time always have it turning the same front into the wind. A feature which simplifies installations of different gear and thus also requires less distance between towers which enables the platform and construction to be used in a more economical way.
Key components and benefits with this concept potentially eliminate what has previously been the “Achilles heel” for offshore installations, namely: brake downs, serviceability, redundancy problems and shortened lifespan. An on board crew 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7) who is continuously monitoring the plant will handle most of these problems, some of which detected in time before they occur. By elimination of such problems one by one, we are confident we will become a very attractive, economical alternative to existing applications.
Hexicon will recommend, however the end customer will make the decision and choose their preferred wind-power manufacturer. This approach will give us several advantages, regional cooperation and the ability to adjust, change and provide a larger potential customer-base.
One more important aspect is that we have extended the usable "real estate" in the world for deployment of wind power "offshore". The Hexicon Concept has opened up regions around the world not before even possible to consider.