Connect with us

Business

Mingyang’s OceanX Sets Record: World’s Most Powerful Floating Wind Turbine Successfully Sets Sail

Published

on

Mingyang

GUANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2024 – On August 13, OceanX, the world’s largest single capacity floating wind power platform, embarked on its journey from Guangzhou to the Yangjiang Mingyang Qingzhou IV offshore wind farm in Guangdong, China. After a 191-nautical-mile, over 50-hour tow, the platform’s arrival marks the commencement of a new era in green energy, poised to set the standard for offshore wind power technology.

Developed by Mingyang Group, this floating wind turbine platform is arranged in a ‘V’ shape and carries two 8.3 MW offshore wind turbines. With a total capacity of 16.6 MW, it can be used in a wide range of sea areas around the world with water depth of more than 35 metres.

OceanX impeller reaches 219 metres at its highest point and a maximum width of about 369 metres in the air. The whole wind turbine platform has a total displacement of 15,000 tonnes, and a towing draft of 5.5 meters. Once operational, it is expected to produce 54 million kWh annually, enough to power 30,000 three-person households for a year.

  • High-Tech Ingenuity: OceanX Floats on Cutting-Edge Materials

OceanX advances wind turbine innovation by enhancing core component technology, driving both aesthetic and functional refinement in design and manufacturing.

Floating foundation is the key component for floating wind turbines in the deep and distant sea. Unlike traditional steel floating foundations, OceanX’s floating foundation consists of three floats, concrete arms and connectors.

It pioneers the use of ultra-high performance concrete with a compressive strength exceeding 115 MPa for floating foundation construction, a material 4 times stronger than standard concrete, significantly enhancing load-bearing capacity. The floating foundation also utilizes a pre-stressed high-strength concrete assembly structure, facilitating modular and batched manufacturing, thereby substantially reducing construction costs.

Mingyang has leveraged caisson pre-tensioning technology in its precast concrete construction, emphasizing interface sealing and the precision of the pre-stressing process. With 1,500 steel strands expertly threaded through the floating body’s arm, it has meticulously controlled tensioning forces and ensured uniform stress across the end face throughout the construction.

OceanX also introduces a cutting-edge float design, using layered material to replace traditional steel or hybrid materials. The float lightens the floats and accommodates their curved form. The three streamlined ellipsoidal floats offer reduced wave resistance and enable lateral rotation, providing yawing power. Rigorous testing confirms that the streamlined shape strikes an ideal balance between stability and load-bearing.

Notably, housing two wind turbines on a single floating platform can significantly cut down the per-kilowatt cost, as well as reduce the required sea area and operational maintenance expenses.

  • Revolutionary ‘V’ Tower: OceanX Pioneers Wind Turbine Architecture

OceanX, with its robust floating foundation, features the integration of two towers in a ‘V’ configuration, marking a first for offshore wind platforms.

OceanX’s tower, with its elongated elliptical design, maximizes wind exposure along its longer axis, significantly exceeding that on the shorter axis. By aligning the tower with the wind direction at an optimal angle, the wind platform’s area is effectively increased, allowing for swifter alignment to the wind and boosting the efficiency of wind energy capture. Additionally, the towers are fitted with a dual-access system for lifts and ladders, ensuring the comfort and safety of personnel during ascent and descent.

In addition to the evolution of the wind turbine form, Mingyang also expands the boundaries of the application of the cable-stayed system, installing it for the first time globally in a wind turbine.

OceanX has ingeniously harnessed the spatial framework of its tower system, integrating the world’s largest high-stress strand cable-stayed system. A robust network of 13 main and 6 auxiliary cables efficiently tensions the mainframe, tower, and floating foundation, establishing a stable tensioning mechanism across the wind turbine’s components. This innovative cable-stayed design has redefined the load transfer path of traditional wind turbines. Instead of the tower bearing the full impeller and gravity loads, the system distributes the tower’s gravity load to the tension cables, with the tower now only partially supporting the impeller loads. This strategic redistribution significantly lightens the tower’s load, enabling a streamlined and lightweight structural design.

To seamlessly integrate the 200-meter-long, 18-centimeter-diameter cables between the wind turbine, tower, and floats, OceanX employs a precise combination of graded pre-tensioning, multi-dimensional monitoring, and synchronized tensioning. This ensures that all 13 main cables achieve their individual pre-tensioning specifications and can be pre-tensioned to a maximum force of 350 tonnes, optimizing the structural integrity and performance of the wind turbine system.

  • Dual-Rotor Pioneer: OceanX’s Unparalleled Wind Harvesting Design

On the V-shaped tower, two main engines are equipped with parallel impellers, covering a sweeping area exceeding 52,000 square meters—comparable to the size of seven standard football fields. With the impeller blades’ tips a mere 5 meters apart, this pioneering design optimizes impeller pitch and wind efficiency while leveraging the V-shape of the tower. It ensures impeller safety and enhances both wind capture and structural stability.

Upon startup, the impellers rotate in opposite directions, enhancing wind speed in the central area and boosting electricity generation from air kinetic energy by 4.29% compared to a single, large turbine with an equivalent swept area.

In the context of the entire wind farm, longer blades on a single turbine can significantly affect the turbine downstream. OceanX employs two small-sized wind turbines, leveraging the coupled vortex effect from counter-rotation to mitigate efficiency losses across the farm.

  • Downwind Mastery: OceanX’s Single-Point Mooring Showcases Cutting-Edge Innovation

OceanX utilizes a downwind design, alleviating tower headroom constraints for the blades, allowing greater movement, and enhancing the unit’s power generation efficiency through flexible and efficient wind energy capture.

In the face of extreme typhoon conditions, floating wind turbines must be designed to withstand 360° typhoon loads from the outset to ensure stability and safety. OceanX employs a single-point mooring system, which allows the platform to adaptively yaw with the typhoon’s direction. This ensures that the wind turbine consistently faces the incoming wind, regardless of the typhoon’s path.

In the mooring system, to withstand forces equivalent to a level 17 typhoon, the turret’s high-precision slewing bearings must offer exceptional load-bearing capacity and superior underwater sealing. To guarantee OceanX’s stable maritime operation, Mingyang has meticulously assembled the turret system, adhering to stringent standards and precision demands.

Data reveals that the single-point mooring solution reduces the ultimate load on the support structure by 40%, significantly improving the wind turbine’s safety and stability in typhoon conditions. This technology’s implementation boosts the standardization and efficiency of onshore operations for marine and engineering equipment.

OceanX is also capable of managing total health of the turbine to optimising power generation efficiency and lowering the maintenance cost thus finally cut down Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) under different environmental conditions.

  • From MW Giants to Deep-Sea Pioneers: Mingyang’s Unceasing Quest for economical offshore wind power

In April 2020, the 1:10 scale prototype of the OceanX dual-rotor floating wind turbine platform was launched in Lake Quarry, Germany. By October, it had completed a two-month offshore operation in the Baltic Sea, enduring tests equivalent to 72m/s winds and 30-meter waves, and earned a feasibility certificate from DNV.

Mingyang has pushed the boundaries of offshore wind power technology, from typhoon-resistant wind power to large offshore megawatt units, and now to the navigation of deep-sea floating turbines. The latest advancements in deep-sea floating wind power are setting new standards for human exploration of the ocean, while decreasing the cost per kWh to make the offshore wind more affordable.

As a leader in global clean energy innovation, Mingyang is committed to driving breakthroughs in marine energy technology. It aims to lead industry innovation, expedite sustainable offshore wind development and facilitate the green transmission globally.

For more information, please visit https://www.myse.com.cn/en and https://www.linkedin.com/company/mingyangsmartenergy/

Business

GWM Day: Trailblazing in Middle East and Driving Worldwide

Published

on

Through the appearance of TANK 700 and second Gen H9 at the Jeddah Motor Show, GWM officially opened the curtain of its’ 3.0 strategic development Era in the Middle East

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, November 8, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Great Wall Motor (GWM) (www.GWM-Global.com), as the leading Chinese automotive brand in Middle East Region as well as other major global regions, released its newest initiative for the Middle East –the HOME+CARE strategy and plan a series of core activities with the theme of GWM DAY. Through the appearance of TANK 700 and second Gen H9 at the Jeddah Motor Show, GWM officially opened the curtain of its’ 3.0 strategic development Era in the Middle East, which is also a key step for GWM to deepen its global development and realize its ecological expansion overseas.

Facing the new era of strategic development, released the HOME+CARE strategy

Parker Shi, President of GWM International, emphasized that the Middle East feels like a “second home” for GWM, which have witnessed the company’s overseas growth over the 27 years from 0 to 1. This strategy is at the core of GWM’s long-term commitment dubbed “Four Globalizations”, to creating a brand experience that resonates with local users. “HOME” symbolizes GWM’s dedication to making the Middle East a part of the brand’s extended global family. Meanwhile, “CARE” represents GWM’s promise to deliver reliable, attentive service to its users alongside its rapid growth globally. Winning global trust with user love, GWM has always been on the road to practice.

HOME is an acronym that represents GWM’s spirit of taking root in the Middle East. Each letter has a different connotation. The first and perhaps most significant pillar of the HOME+CARE Plan is “H”-(Heart). This value has driven GWM over the past 34 years, and today, GWM serves over 14 million customers with more than 1,300 sales outlets across over 170 countries and regions globally, its commitment lead to its strong sales performance in 2023. In the first nine months, GWM sold over 850,000 vehicles, with more than 320,000 units sold outside of China, representing a 53% year-on-year growth.

“O” represents Outstanding product quality, which is the base for GWM success in Middle East. Since its first pickup trucks exported to Middle East in 1997, GWM has held the title of China’s top-selling pickup brand, setting a high standard with models like the DEER, Wingle series, and GWM POER. GWM is planning to launch a 2.4T pickup model in the Middle East in early 2024, designed to exceed users’ expectations with remarkable power, performance, and durability.

The third pillar of GWM’s strategy in the Middle East is “M”-(Multiformity), reflected in the company’s efforts to provide a full range of vehicles that meet diverse user needs across all powertrains, all categories and all levels. For GWM, understanding and meeting the unique needs of Middle Eastern users is paramount. The company’s off-road expertise, honed over 34 years, is highly compatible with the demands of the Local market, and GWM is committed to adapting its offerings to suit regional preferences, and focus on “creating experiential value” for users is integral to its brand.

“E “means Enjoyment through experience. GWM’s focus on “creating experiential value” for users is integral to its brand. In addition to GWM’s modification culture, it is also set to open its largest Middle Eastern flagship store in Riyadh on October 31, being the 7th directly operated GWM store by its local partner AMDC. This new facility, combined with the new parts warehouse in Jeddah, will significantly enhance GWM’s ability to serve local customers with top-notch service and convenience.

GWM Technology Day: GWM Off-road Trailblazing in Middle East

Middle East Region has got great potential and appetite for high-end models. In GWM’s 2030 vision, out of the 1,000,000 units sold overseas, 30% of models would be high-end models. Middle East will play a pivotal part in contributing to that target. Hence, GWM decides to roll out its flagship models in Middle East Region as one of the first batch regions overseas.

As the flagship models of GWM, the TANK 700 and GWM HAVAL H9 have got global attention since its debut in China. At the Jeddah Motor Show, the 2 models boasting top notch electrification and off-road technology, i.e. the Hi4-T. It enables the TANK 700 to output 385kW power and 850N.m torque like the king of beast. Thanks to the class-leading 3.0 litre turbo-charged V6 engine coupled with the unique 9HAT electrified powertrain. The TANK 700 looks rugged outside but the refined interior including largely-covered by soft premium materials, 15mm thick seat leather surface, 1000-watt 16 speakers, ANC features and so many features that will sure won the mind and hearts for the audience.

The GWM TANK Alliance has been one of the largest off-road enthusiast carnival in this region and globally for GWM

The second Gen GWM HAVAL H9 pictures another scenario for family users as an all-Terrain 7-seater  vehicle for Middle East with extended families. Equipped with the latest generation of high-performance of the 2.0T gasoline+8AT golden power combination for the petrol version,TOD Intelligent 4WD and mechanical locking are standard option, realizing seamless switching from 0-100% torque and easy extrication from special terrain. The new generation of HAVAL H9 comes with its super solid body frame, which is made up of for 99% high-strength steel, including 83% of super high-strength steel in the body skeleton, making the whole vehicle more reliable and safe The long list of safety features make it a perfect tool to guard families who love outdoor life.

GWM Partner Day: Deepen local presence and consolidate distribution partnerships

GWM’s service initiative, GWM CARE, is central to the company’s commitment to after-sales excellence in the Middle East and North Africa. GWM is the first Chinese automotive brand to establish a comprehensive parts center for the Middle East and North Africa (GLOBAL) region. Located in Dubai, this center spans a service radius covering 55 countries across GCC, Iraq and Iran, North Africa, and Central and West Africa, leading the market in coverage. Known for its industry-leading efficiency, GWM’s Middle East warehouse achieves a 92% parts fulfillment rate, setting a high benchmark in availability and operational excellence. The warehouse stocks over 20,000 types of parts across more than 7,000 square meters, supporting GWM’s five main series: HAVAL, TANK, POER, WEY, and ORA. Additionally, local markets maintain a fulfillment rate above 95%, with Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah facility—the largest of any Chinese brand in the region—covering over 11,000 square meters with around 13,000 parts. All components are genuine GWM parts, sourced from certified suppliers like Bosch and ZF, and are quality-validated by GWM or third-party certifications. Efficient staffing supports same-day warehouse processing with near-zero discrepancy rates, ensuring reliable, timely service for GWM’s customers.

In just less than 3 years, by 2025, GWM will further expand its global parts warehouse by 30,000 square meters, increasing parts inventory by 1,000 types and achieving a parts fill rate of 97%. The company is also intensifying its training efforts to ensure that all of its service staff are 100% certified by 2025, enabling them to deliver high-quality, reliable service to users across the region. GWM’s local expansion strategy, in partnership with ADMC, continues to provide value-added customer experience. ADMC currently operates 7 GWM direct stores in Saudi Arabia, with GWM CARE ensuring that customers have easy access to necessary repairs and maintenance.

GWM Family Day: Providing a home-like feel for global users

GWM is also set to open its largest Middle Eastern flagship store in Riyadh on October 31, being the 7th directly operated GWM store by its local partner AMDC. Middle Eastern communities traditionally value family life. To meet their potential psychological needs, in the coming months, GWM plans to launch the “GWM Family Day” at its Riyadh flagship store, inviting GWM users and families to come together to share their experiences and celebrate the journeys they’ve taken with GWM vehicles.

At the opening ceremony, Parker Shi said, “the GWM TANK Alliance has been one of the largest off-road enthusiast carnival in this region and globally for GWM. These gatherings are part of GWM’s commitment to creating a more personal brand experience for Middle Eastern users, ensuring that each user feels part of the GWM family.” Welcoming they become the family of GWM and many happy kilometers to drive, Parker emphasized.

GWM has always been user-oriented. The logic behind it is to keep communicating with users continuously, and deepen users’ understanding of the brand so that users can gradually “know”, “be interested” and “like”. Pushing the highest-level relationship of “trust” and eventually towards global trust is not easy but it is what GWM has been pursuing.

GWM Moving Forward Together With Middle East

GWM DAY comprehensively demonstrates the strength of GWM from the dimensions of technology, partnership, TOC thought, and family-oriented business culture. That’s all the series themes of GWM DAYs conveyed. After years of accumulation and development in the Middle East market, GWM now has covered almost all countries in the Middle East Region with the most comprehensive products lineup, the comprehensive after-sale service system, the reinforced regional office, and most importantly the loyal and engaged owner communities. Since GWM understands that the brand isn’t just about cutting-edge technology, award-winning design, it’s more about people and their aspirations. At GWM, everything starts with, and evolves around people. The brand spirit tagline “Go With More” is the best interpretation of GWM’s vision for ever-pursuing for perfection.

As GWM continues to grow its footprint in the Middle East, it remains dedicated to the mission of “With the Middle East, for the Middle East.” Through its innovative products, dedication to service, and commitment to creating an enjoyable driving experience, GWM is well-positioned to become a leader in the Middle Eastern automotive market as a leading global brand. By cultivating strong relationships with users, partners, and communities, GWM is not just building a brand – it is building a community that is going with more tech, more style, more experience and more love for its 14 million users worldwide, with more generations to come.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GWM.

Continue Reading

Business

Global Oil Demand to Hit 120.1M Barrels Per Day (BPD) by 2050, Says Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at African Energy Week (AEW) 2024

Published

on

Sharing insight into the recently-launched World Oil Outlook, OPEC underscored the role African producers will play in meeting the world’s rising demand for crude

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 8, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Global oil demand is projected to reach 120.1 million barrels per day (BPD) by 2050, while energy demand will rise 24% during the same period, says the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais.

Delivering a keynote address at the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2024 conference, Al Ghais said that African producers will play a central role in meeting rising demand.

To ensure security of supply to fuel this demand, our industries need to invest and boost investment levels significantly in the years to come

“Demand will be fueled by a world economy that is expected to more than double in size to more than $360 trillion by 2050. Driving this economic growth is the rapidly expanding world population, expected to reach 9.7 billion from the current 8 billion. Urbanization globally will continue to intensify. Over 600 million people are expected to move to new cities around the world, including Africa,” he said.

Al Ghais drew insight into OPEC’s recently-launched World Oil Outlook (WOO). Launched in September 2024, the 18th edition of the WOO featured a review and assessment of the medium- and long-term prospects for the global oil and energy sectors. The publication offers a comprehensive analysis of global supply and demand dynamics while taking into account the interplay between energy security, energy affordability and the need to reduce emissions. 

For Africa, which faces an energy crisis with over 600 million people lacking access to electricity and over 900 million people lacking access to clean cooking solutions, increasing oil and gas production is a fundamental requirement. As such, Al Ghais emphasizes the need to increase investment in oil and gas.

“Oil and gas will remain the predominant fuels in the energy mix. To ensure security of supply to fuel this demand, our industries need to invest and boost investment levels significantly in the years to come,” he explained.

However, Al Ghais pointed out that “For Africa, the future looks bright. It has an estimated 125 billion barrels of proven reserves of oil. It is vital that African countries develop these resources with access to the necessary funding and technology. This is vital for the economic and social development of the continent and its people.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Continue Reading

Business

Oando Wins ‘Deal of the Year’ Award at Africa Energy Week 2024

Published

on

Oando won the award in recognition of the Company’s recently completed landmark $783 million acquisition of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) from the Italian Energy firm Eni on August 22, 2024

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 7, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Oando PLC (“Oando” or the “Company”) (www.OandoPLC.com) Africa’s leading energy solutions provider listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is pleased to announce that the Company has emerged winner of the ‘Deal of the Year’ award at Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2024.

The Africa Energy Chamber (AEC), the  organisers of the annual week-long oil and gas conference, hosted and recognised different stakeholders at a Gala and Award night held at the Cape Town International Conference Center (CITCC), on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. In a category comprising other high-profile deals in the sector and across Africa, Oando won the award in recognition of the Company’s recently completed landmark $783 million acquisition of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) from the Italian Energy firm Eni on August 22, 2024.

This acquisition, 10 years in the making since Oando’s initial entry into the ConocoPhillips/NAOC/NNPC Joint Venture (JV) in 2014 when the Company acquired ConocoPhillips Nigeria business, doubled the company’s stake in the JV to 40% and operator of the assets.

We are delighted and honoured to receive the ‘Deal of the Year’ award from Africa Energy Week

In receiving the award, the Company’s Group Chief Executive, Wale Tinubu CON, remarked “We are delighted and honoured to receive the ‘Deal of the Year’ award from Africa Energy Week. It’s been a remarkable year on many fronts. First, we marked our 30th anniversary as a business, then concluded our strategic plan to acquire our second IOC in a decade, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and step up to the role of operator.

This award is more than just an accolade for a successful deal closure; it represents a public acknowledgement of the culmination of 30 years of grit, hard work, resilience, and sheer belief in our vision. It is a testament to my belief that with the #HumansOfOando, impossible is nothing. I’d like to thank the dream team, the #HumansOfOando, our financiers, and partners for their belief and role in making this award a reality.”

The acquisition is the culmination of a decade of preparation, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to a vision of becoming Africa’s first indigenous International Oil Company. It is a testament to the organisation’s 30-year journey spanning the entire energy value chain, with consistent and deliberate actions at each stage that have led to the advancement of indigenous participation in the industry.

The Deal of the Year award “recognises the most transformative and impactful deal in the energy sector – honouring excellence in negotiation, strategic alignment, innovation and collaboration – and celebrates deals that drive advancements in energy and economic growth.”

With this year’s AEW theme of “Invest in Africa Energies: Energy Growth Through an Enabling Environment”, the AEC, through the AEW Awards 2024, recognised other persons, International (IOCs) and National Oil Companies (NOCs) across the continent through awards in 10 categories.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Oando PLC.

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version