Environmentally friendly and cost-effective: Bucket foundations for offshore wind turbines

The interim conclusion of the ProBucket research project: Bucket foundations are an environmentally friendly and potentially cost-effective base for offshore wind energy plants. A group of researchers, including experts from Tractebel and Tractebel Overdick, is studying the technique. Suction buckets have long been known as foundation elements for offshore oil and gas platforms. Although they are occasionally used for wind turbines, this is not yet an established practice. 

The Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection of Germany is funding the ProBucket research project, which has been ongoing for approximately two years. The aim is to optimize the geotechnical and structural design procedures of this type of foundation and to assess the economic potential for use in wind turbines. In addition to Tractebel, Tractebel Overdick and ENGIE, other experienced partners are involved in the project consortium initiated by the Fraunhofer Institute: Tennet, GuD Consult, HP Hanseatic Power Cert, Leibniz University Hannover, the German Federal Institutes for Hydraulic Engineering and Material Research, as well as the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. The PtJ Research Centre Jülich is supporting the project on behalf of the German federal government. 

Installation of a suction bucket in the foundation test pit. Image © Fraunhofer IWES 

Anchor concepts tested and new ones developed 

In model tests at different scales, the teams of experts investigated designs and installation procedures. They found that despite complicated manufacturing, suction buckets in combination with jacket structures can be an economical type of foundation with a growing market share in the medium term. These stable constructions can be installed quietly, are easy to transport and save on material input.  

In addition, the research group developed solutions for new bucket anchor concepts suitable for future offshore wind farm developments with floating support structures.

"Climate change does not leave us much time. We need fast, safe solutions that work and are environmentally friendly and we need them right now. We are investigating a technique for the wind energy market that is already a proven practice in other industries. Our study shows that suction bucket foundations can improve the economic viability of green offshore energy," says Dr Patric Kleineidam, Head of Renewable Energy at Tractebel in Germany.  

Dr. Patric Kleineidam, Head of Renewable Energy at Tractebel

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