A Norwegian company has come up with a radically different design for offshore wind turbines that could help the world meet its renewable energy goals.

Why is this important: Wind power is cheap and efficient, but the strongest winds are far offshore, in deep water, where it is difficult to drive a turbine into the seabed. Floating wind farms can be anchored further out in the ocean.

Details: Wind Catching Systems has ditched the traditional Dutch design of wind turbines – one pole and three giant blades – in favor of a grid-like network over 1,000 feet tall of smaller turbines that spin faster, generating more power. energy.

• One of its floating Wind Catchers can produce enough electricity to power 80,000 European homes, according to the company.

The context: The world’s first floating wind farm opened in 2017 off the coast of Scotland, using a different design, according to Fast business, which made us discover the concept.

And after: Wind Catching Systems plans to deploy a prototype in the North Sea soon, but also has its eye on the United States.

• “Areas outside of the California coast would be a great fit for our system, with strong winds in deep water near the coast,” CFO Ronny Karlsen told Axios via email. This won’t happen until 2025.