SEAPOWER offshore wind project: R&D in structures and systems for high-power wind turbines

Spain

The SEAPOWER offshore wind project drives collaborative research and development of advanced technologies for structures, towers, and auxiliary systems for the next generation of high-power offshore wind turbines (over 10 MW). Since 2019, a consortium of 10 leading Basque companies, including IDOM as the fixed solution leader, has spearheaded this SEAPOWER offshore wind project, funded by the Hazitek Program and the European Regional Development Fund. This large-scale collaboration addresses the challenges of increased turbine power, size, and structural demands in the harsh marine environment.

The objective of the SEAPOWER project is to promote research and the collaborative development of technologies and solutions for offshore wind structures, towers, and auxiliary systems for the new generation of high-power wind turbines (more than 10 MW).

The initiative commenced in 2019, with a consortium involving 10 Basque reference companies in the offshore wind sector, among which is IDOM (in charge of the fixed solution). It has a budget of € 5.3 million for the period 2019-2021 and is funded by the Hazitek Program of the Basque Government, with support from the European Regional Development Fund.

One of the factors that sets SEAPOWER apart is that it represents the first large-scale collaboration project in the field of offshore wind between important Basque engineering firms and the main manufacturers of structures and components.

This is a project with important challenges, driven by the demands brought about by the large increase in power and size of offshore wind turbines; and what this means for the rest of the elements of the parks, both for those of a structural nature such as the foundations (either fixed or floating), the transition component and the tower, which will be subjected to much higher loads, such as for electrical power evacuation equipment. All this, in addition, to a hostile environment such as the sea, with high levels of corrosion.

Wind Farms & Offshore Substations