Wind Catching Systems

Wind Catching Systems AS, established in 2017, is a Norwegian company developing a novel floating offshore wind energy solution. The firm was founded by Asbjørn Nes, Arthur Kordt, and Ole Heggheim. Nes, with his background as a founder of a consultancy in the oil and gas sector, and Kordt, a mechanical engineer and inventor, conceived the initial idea, with Heggheim later joining to contribute his extensive experience from the wind industry.

The company's core technology is the Windcatcher, a large floating structure that utilizes multiple smaller turbines arranged in a grid formation, contrasting with the conventional single large turbine design. This multi-rotor system is designed to produce significantly more energy per square meter of ocean space. Projections suggest a single Windcatcher unit could generate electricity equivalent to five of the largest conventional offshore wind turbines, potentially powering up to 100,000 European households. The design aims to reduce the operational area needed for wind farms by over 80%.

Wind Catching Systems targets the deep-water offshore wind market, an area with vast, untapped wind resources. The business model appears to be centered on the development and eventual sale or licensing of its Windcatcher technology to energy developers and operators. The system is engineered for a 50-year operational lifespan and is designed for easier maintenance, as repairs can be performed on-site without the need for specialized vessels. By stacking turbines vertically, the system can capture energy from winds at different altitudes, an effect enhanced by the interaction between the rotors which can increase their individual output.

The company has secured significant backing from investors including Ferd, North Energy, and the an entity associated with the General Motors investment arm. A prototype is scheduled for installation in 2024 at the Mehuken wind park in Norway, operated by Stadtwerke München.

Keywords: offshore wind, floating wind technology, multi-rotor system, renewable energy, wind energy generation, deep-water wind, energy technology, wind power, clean energy, grid-scale energy