Skip to content
Britannia Offshore Windturbine by Créa Inc Design

Britannia Offshore Windturbine by Créa Inc Design is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2019 A' Design Award in IJzer in Energieproducten, -projecten en -apparaten Ontwerp Competition Category.


IJzerEnergie· 2019

Britannia Offshore Windturbine

by Créa Inc Design

Client: Créa Inc Design Ltd.

A' Design Award in IJzer Winner in Energie Category

Colors

The Design

About Britannia Offshore Windturbine

Britannia is een offshore windturbine op megaschaal, ontworpen voor windparken in het Verenigd Koninkrijk. De turbine genereert 10 MW aan vermogen, voldoende elektriciteit voor de momentane vraag van 7.500 huishoudens. De constructie bereikt een hoogte van 180 meter met een bladspanwijdte van 145 meter. De buitenpanelen zijn gemaakt van glasvezelcomposiet, gemonteerd op een interne stalen balkstructuur. Radiatoren koelen de grote generatoren, en hun plaatsing maakte het mogelijk om luchtinlaten te gebruiken als stijlvolle designelementen. De binnenruimte is zodanig ingericht dat bemanningsleden er tijdens onderhoudswerkzaamheden kunnen werken en slapen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in IJzer

Britannia Offshore Windturbine is winnaar van de A' Design Award in IJzer, een prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan goede ontwerpen die voldoen aan de professionele en industriële eisen die worden verwacht van goed ontworpen creaties. Winnaars in IJzer tonen grote vaardigheid, hoge specialisatie, deskundig inzicht en het creatieve vermogen van hun makers. Britannia Offshore Windturbine wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerde, bewonderde en gekoesterde creatie te zijn die praktisch en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in IJzer heeft gewonnen, integreert de beste praktijken uit de sector en heeft bekwame technische kenmerken die verbonden zijn met knowhow en talent. Britannia Offshore Windturbine wordt gerespecteerd om zijn grondigheid en is ontworpen om verbeteringen van de levenskwaliteit te bieden die helpen de wereld een betere plek te maken.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
The Britannia is mega-scale wind turbine proposed for offshore wind farms in the United Kingdom, the largest in the world and first to produce 10Mw of power. The exterior styling differentiates Clipper turbines and is designed to evoke company heritage and inspiration. Placement of the radiators to cooling the large generators, allowed the use of air scoops as stylistic elements. The interior architecture is optimized for people to work and sleep inside the large space to service the generators.
Dimensions & Packaging
It generates 10Mw of energy, electricity for instantaneous demand of 7,500 homes at once.

Height 180m
Bladespan145m

Generators replaced by lower/raising from ships with built in crane & moved internally to position.

Crew delivered to roof helipad & can sleep onboard. Doors/windows added for comfort.

External panels made from fibreglass composite mounted to internal i-beam structure. Blades made from single composite molding. Fabricated in road transportable modules because of large size.
Tags
Wind Turbine, Energy, Generator, Brittannia, Clipper Windpower, Offshore, Green Power, Renewable Energy
Production Technology
Engineering teams developed generators, gearing, blades, & steel structure. It was starting point for exterior design & interior crew architecture. Turbine generator cooling is important (many catch fire) and placement of radiators was carefully considered for impact. Crew required internal space for removing, servicing, & replacing large generators. Windows, walkways, and sleep areas were positioned for crew comfort. Bomb-bay doors located for ship access. Helipad access on roof was planned.
Design Challenge
The hardest part of the engineering challenge was working with such a large scale product - engineering requirements were extreme including fabrication, assembly, mechanics, etc... all affecting the industrial design options.
Research
Some people dislike look & noise of wind turbines, while suppliers want more efficiency/turbine. We solve these problems w/ mega-scale & design.

Mega turbines produce more power, reducing number. Big size increases friction & heat, so radiators are essential. Scale allows internal cranes, bomb-bay doors, & habitability. Modular construction facilitates assembly.

ID aim was to increase beauty w/ efficient engineering solutions – to create an iconic shape in sky, representing Clipper & renewable power.
Inspiration
Brittania has stylistic inspiration from the nautical heritage of Clipper, the Clipper ship itself, and is expressed in the galley like rear end forms as well as the streamlined shape. CEO/Founder Jim Dehlson, “the father of modern Windpower,” expressed his aspiration for Britannia was the sculpture of “Winged Victory of Samothrace.” The exterior was designed to embody elements such as the arched wings, to create a mega sized inspirational sculpture. Function is integrated throughout the form, including the placement of Radiators to create the galley form and walkway under the Wing forms.
Project Duration
The project started in December 2008, in Santa Barbara California (USA), San Francisco (USA), and Bristol (UK). The industrial design phase of the project was completed in March 2010.
Operation Flow
Britannia is built in modular pieces & transported via highways/ ships to assembly site – each w/ challenges because of scale.

On site, the tower would be built then modular parts are hoisted into place. 1st internal frame, then exterior pieces. Internal cranes lift generators & radiators into place. The cone would be added, then blades installed.

During use, generators could be dismantled internally or replaced with bomb-bay doors. Technicians could arrive via helipad or lifted from ships.
Team Members
Project Lead: Jim Dehlson
Program Manager: Anthony Chobot
Engineering Lead: Erik Smith
Brand Manager: Steven Fischer
Industrial Design: Travis Baldwin
Image Credits
Industrial Designer Travis Baldwin, Britannia Visuals, 2010.
Illustration Clipper Windpower, Product Paintings, 2010-2011.

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate