Imagine building giant wind turbines that float on the ocean, but instead of just being metal poles, their underwater parts act like luxury hotels for fish and coral. This project creates special anchors and bases that protect sea life while keeping the turbines steady. It turns energy infrastructure into artificial reefs that help the ocean thrive.
Floating wind farms often face opposition or permit delays because their foundations damage seabed biodiversity. Companies need a way to build massive energy capacity without destroying marine habitats.
Two main technologies: a nature-inclusive gravity anchor and scour protection system (GASP), and an artificial reef structure (ARS) integrated into floating turbine bases.
If you are a developer dealing with strict environmental regulations and permit delays — this project developed nature-inclusive designs for anchors and reefs that benefit biodiversity. This helps you meet the EU's 60 GW by 2030 target while reducing ecological pushback.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with the need for more sustainable hardware — this project developed a gravity anchor and scour protection system (GASP). This allows you to sell foundations that are both structurally sound and environmentally beneficial.
If you are a consultant dealing with conflicts between energy needs and ocean protection — this project developed a techno-environomic tool to optimize farm layouts. This ensures the most efficient use of marine space while protecting natural habitats.
The project aims to reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) by using a techno-environomic framework to ensure circularity and efficiency in the design.
The project targets TRL5 validation, meaning the designs are being tested in relevant large-scale environments to prove they work before full commercial rollout.
Based on available project data, the project is developing pathways to commercialization, including certification and financing for the sub-sea innovations.
It specifically addresses the conflict between the EU's 450 GW by 2050 wind target and the Mission Healthy Oceans goals by integrating nature-inclusive designs.
The project runs from 2024-01-01 to 2027-12-31, focusing on moving from design to large-scale validation.
The consortium is highly balanced for commercialization, featuring a 50% industry ratio with 8 industrial partners, including 4 SMEs. With 16 partners across 10 countries, the project combines academic research from 6 universities with practical industrial application, ensuring that the engineering designs are market-viable.
Contact Technische Universität Braunschweig regarding NID for floating wind foundations.
Contact us to connect with the INF4INiTY consortium for licensing nature-inclusive subsea designs.
