Next Generation Integrated Floating Wind Optimized for Deep Waters

NEXTFLOAT aims at reducing the LCOE and increase the competitiveness of floating offshore wind (FOW) to accelerate large-scale deployment. The project will demonstrate an integrated system composed of X1’s lightweight floating platform with its proprietary PivotBuoy connection system – a novel design for offshore wind platforms that optimizes the structural design, reduces weight of the structure and greatly improves mooring and installation techniques and costs – and 2BE’s 2-bladed downwind turbine – an advanced rotor that requires less material, fewer components, reduced capital and operational costs and improved environmental benefits. The project also proposes innovations to bring cost-efficiency improvements to the dynamic cable by using aluminium as a conductor material. This innovative concept will be demonstrated in MISTRAL site in the Mediterranean Sea.

The design of a 14MW fully integrated system will be developed with a strong focus on optimizing the technological solutions for deep waters and making it suitable for different EU offshore sites. In parallel, this design will take into account mass production and large-scale deployment as key elements to make floating offshore wind a competitive renewable energy source. The project will develop an industrialization roadmap for this FOW concept, in order to facilitate the mass production.

Finally, NEXTFLOAT will define a commercial plan for future large-scale deployment that integrates cross-cutting aspects to ensure a sustainable replication based on the analysis of costs, life cycle assessment and socio-economic factors.