Project description
A new wave of offshore wind farms
Europe is the leader in offshore wind technology. Advances in technology are making it easier and cheaper for green power generation. The EU-funded X1 ACCELERATOR project is developing a disruptive floating system to change the paradigm of the wind energy industry that can be used to exploit sites located in deep waters. The project has also designed an integrated system to take advantage of the offshore environment. The result is a dramatic reduction in the weight of the platform, as well as a reduction in installation and operating costs, making floating offshore wind technology cost effective. Another key feature is that the platform orientates itself passively with the wind.
Objective
X1 Wind is developing a disruptive floating system to change the paradigm of the wind energy industry. Nowadays, power producers are looking for floating solutions to exploit their sites located in deep waters, but current technology is not competitive in price. In this sense, X1 Wind has been designed for offshore but taking into account that in order to be competitive, renewable solutions need to be low cost. Unlike other solutions, which use “marinized” onshore wind turbines on the top of adapted Oil&Gas platforms designs, X1 Wind has designed an integrated system to take advantage of the offshore environment. The result is a dramatic reduction in the weight of the platform, as well as a reduction in installation and operating costs, making floating offshore wind cost effective and untapping the huge wind potential located in deep waters (>7,000 GW).
X1 Wind innovative design combines the weight reduction and improved stability, with the benefits of assembly onshore and tow to site. Moreover, a patented single point mooring system allows a much easier and faster installation. Furthermore, it also allows the platform to orientate itself passively with the wind, removing the need for active systems, which reduce maintenance needs.
Through the X1 ACCELERATOR project, X1 Wind will develop and complete the detailed design and engineering of their commercial scale platform. It is important to highlight that the most important market barriers are related to the high investment needed to manufacture a full-scale platform. In this sense, X1 Wind has established partnerships with large industrial partners interested in the manufacture of the platform and supply of key components. This project aims to de-risk the technology and bring the proposed solution to the market.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2Coordinator
08034 Barcelona
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.