The COOLWIND project has developed the FSCC® cooler to new level of maturity. This advancement has been achieved through a comprehensive range of activities, including rigorous flow analysis and CFD simulations, stringent material technical assessments, robust mechanical design and strength calculations, and meticulous installation analyses. In the pursuit of cost-effectiveness, the cooler's design has undergone optimization and has been completed with a set of design documents as well as a 3D model.
Extensive case studies and feasibility studies have been undertaken, leading to the refinement of large-size FSCC® cooler module design, specifically tailored for full-scale cooling applications. A diversified portfolio of system designs has been developed, encompassing various cooler sizes, placements, and installation scenarios. The project has also rigorously evaluated the improved availability and uptime of a full-scale platform cooling system incorporating FSCC® coolers.
Furthermore, the COOLWIND project has succeeded with a complete HVDC/HYDROGEN cooling system design, seamlessly integrating subsea coolers with corresponding platform topside equipment. This has been substantiated with the establishment of comprehensive system, piping and instrumentation diagram, sensors and control requirements for the topside system.
Recognizing the potential challenge of marine biofouling impacting the efficiency of subsea coolers in shallow waters, studies and testing have been undertaken to validate the anti-fouling properties of the chosen materials and design solutions. This ensures the sustained optimal performance of the FSCC® cooler in demanding marine environments.
Our proprietary engineering tool, SIMCOOL, is key in the design of project specific FSCC® coolers. It is a state-of-the art software, factoring in process data, location specifics (such as e.g. seawater temperatures over the year), and other variables. This allows for the quick, precise and tailored design of a project cooler that align with project specifications, ensuring optimal performance.
SIMCOOL was verified prior to the COOLWIND project, by building a 6 tonnes cooler and testing it offshore, where test-results were within +/- 5% of the SIMCOOL projections. As part of the COOLWIND project, SIMCOOL has been further developed to include ocean flow data, thereby increasing the design accuracy.
The COOLWIND project has also developed strong connections with key players and stakeholders in the offshore wind and hydrogen markets. These relationships have been cultivated through ongoing and targeted marketing and dissemination efforts aimed at showcasing the technology's feasibility and the multiple benefits it brings to new offshore hydrogen and HVDC projects. This sustained engagement has generated increasing interest and support from industry leaders. One of Europe's major offshore wind developers placed an order for a single system, but due to schedule impacts of non-FSCC® related problems, the order was unfortunately cancelled.
