Collaborative projects
Fondation OPEN-C and its partners take advantage of the presence of exceptional prototypes connected to the electricity network on its sites to host and support experimental collaborative projects.
These may concern testing of technologies or prototypes on the 5 offshore sites. But also to carry out collaborative innovation and R&D projects on various themes, sites and issues of MRE, in particular: knowledge of the environment, monitoring and measurement systems, anchoring, dynamic cables...
BATSO | 2024-2027
Optimize major maintenance of floating offshore wind turbines
The objective is to reduce the costs associated with the maintenance of floating wind turbines by performing these operations directly at sea. The BATSO project focuses on a technology already used in onshore wind power: lifting from a nacelle-mounted crane and the development of guiding solutions. An operation to replace a major component of an offshore wind turbine is planned at the SEM-REV test site. Fondation OPEN-C is already preparing the site access and monitoring plan for this offshore test. This project will provide input for sizing studies with a view to replicating the operation on wind farms to reduce maintenance costs.
- Project leader: BW Ideol
- Partners: Fondation OPEN-C, Centrale Nantes, EDF Renouvelables
- Funding: ADEME/France 2030
- Test site: SEM-REV
ECHO | 2024-2027
Studying the acoustic pressure of offshore wind turbines on fish and marine mammals
The ECHO project will focus on the acoustic pressures linked to offshore wind power on marine mammals and ichthyofauna (fish), during the installation and exploitation of prototypes. A multidisciplinary experimental protocol has been developed to improve understanding of the effects of the noise environment generated by floating wind turbines on these species. Fondation OPEN-C and its partners have initiated experiments in laboratory and controlled environments, while preparing for the caging campaigns to come in 2025 and 2026 on the SEM-REV site and on a nearby control zone.
- Project leader: LIENSs CNRS - University of La Rochelle.
- Partners: Fondation OPEN-C, ADERA – Cohabys, LOG labatory from Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale et NEREIS Environnement
- Funding: French Office for Biodiversity
- Test site : SEM-REV , MISTRAL
FORTEIM | 2024-2027
Towards an energy-efficient transition for marine industries
The FORTEIM project aims to train future professionals in the maritime sector with innovative educational tools, including serious games. The project focuses on the impact of training from CAP to PhD to prepare ambassadors committed to this essential challenge. Fondation OPEN-C is leading the work package on the attractiveness of careers and raising awareness of the challenges of offshore wind power.
- Project leader: CINav
- Partners: Fondation OPEN-C, Naval Group, Evolen, France Energies Marines, CEA, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Wind Ship Association, Ikigai, Afpa, Studio NYX, Centrale Nantes, Centrale Méditerranée, Institut de l'Océan, ENSTA Bretagne
- Funding: ADEME/France 2030
OASIS | 2024-2027
Accelerating system integration and storage solutions for offshore renewable energy development
This project aims to develop and test an accelerator for technological building blocks linked to energy systems (storage, digitalization, network integration, etc.), for maritime applications including offshore wind power. By developing tools and consolidating knowledge across borders, the project will provide training, market research and a strong network, all specifically targeted at the renewable energy sector.
- Project leader: DMEC (Dutch Marine Energy Centre)
- Project partners: Uppsala University, DLR Institut für den Schutz maritimer Infrastrukturen, Blauwe Cluster (Blue Cluster) vzw, Flux50, BOVA ENVIRO+, ÅKP, Energy Cluster Denmark, Fondation OPEN-C, BUILDERS
- Funding: Interreg North Sea/European Union
French Marine Renewable Energy Observatory
Each year, the Observatory publishes an annual report and a summary providing an overview of the socio-economic situation in the MRE sector (turnover, jobs, investments, nature of company activity). The 8th annual report was produced by Fondation OPEN-C.
It also publishes regular notes which aim to improve knowledge on a key issue to decipher current events in marine energies or shed light on the future prospects of the sector.
- Project leader: French Maritime Cluster
- Project partners: ADEME, ABE, BOP, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, CMN/HydroQuest, DEME, Centrale Nantes, EDF RE, Eiffage Métal, Fondation OPEN-C, GE Renewable Energy, Neopolia, Normandie maritime, Ocean Winds, RTE, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy
- Funding: ADEME and partners
Exhibition and Research Center at Penn Avel
The Penn Avel exhibition and research center, located in Le Croisic, is part of an awareness project on Marine Renewable Energy to create a place for scientific culture & knowledge sharing in direct proximity to the offshore site SEM-REV and the Saint Nazaire offshore wind farm.
- Project leader: Fondation OPEN-C
- Project partners: EDF Renewable, Conservatoire du Littoral, City of Le Croisic
- Funding: ADEME, Pays de la Loire Region and EDF Renewable
- Location : SEM-REV
PIAFF & Co | 2022-2025
Interactions between flying fauna and offshore wind turbines
The PIAFF&CO project aims to collect field data with different monitoring methods, to improve our knowledge of the marine environment. The project uses feedback from the first Floatgen offshore wind turbine (©BW Ideol) and in situ data on the SEM-REV test site. In 2024, new avifauna monitoring systems were installed, including visual observations, acoustic measurements and mortality studies. The addition of a camera, on the floating base and pointing towards the blades, combined with artificial intelligence, now makes it possible to identify birds and study their behavior in the proximity of the blades.
- Project leader: Fondation OPEN-C
- Partners: MNHM, BW Ideol, Parc éolien en mer de St Nazaire, Centrale Nantes
- Funding: ADEME
- Test site : SEM-REV
POMU | 2023-2026
Multi-Purpose Offshore Platform
POMU is a floating “Offshore Multi-Purpose Platform” at one or more test sites. It could host R&D projects, lower-power MRE demonstrators or even be used as an operational offshore base by site teams and partners. The platform could be used to connect the demonstrator to the public power grid, to study the behavior of an onboard demonstrator under the influence of wave movements, for environmental monitoring projects, for subsea monitoring, or for training in working at sea. The platform will be installed on the SEM-REV site.
- Project leader: Fondation OPEN-C
- Funding: ADEME and FTJ
- Test site: SEM-REV
STORM | 2022-2025
Develop an underwater inspections/operations service
Underwater work often uses ROVs, a remotely operated underwater vehicle. The STORM project aims to match need and supply by offering a properly sized underwater inspection and operations service with a reduced carbon footprint. Fondation OPEN-C will participate in the design and construction of a test bench for a new ROV and will coordinate the tests.
- Project leader: SEAOWL
- Partners: Exail, Kley France, Fondation OPEN-C, Centrale Nantes
- Funding: BPI I-Demo - France 2030
- Test site: Ste-Anne du Portzic, SEM-REV, MISTRAL
VELELLA | 2023-2026
Eco-design of technological bricks for floating wind power
Velella aims to qualify several technological bricks & methods necessary to prepare the deployment of commercial floating wind projects under the best economic, social & environmental conditions. This project is a first in the MRE sector: each innovation developed will be designed with an eco-design approach, from life cycle analysis to recyclability or the impact on the underwater environment.
- Project leader: BW IDEOL
- Project partners: Centrale Nantes, Ifremer, Ensta Bretagne, IVM Technologies, Fondation OPEN-C
- Funding: ADEME
- Test site : SEM-REV
COMPLETED PROJECTS
MONABIOP
Test of an experimental buoy for floating wind turbines
This test campaign was conducted by France Energies Marines at the MISTRAL test site. The MONABIOP buoy was used to study the behavior of synthetic anchors by reproducing the average dynamic forces generated by a floating wind turbine. The aim of the campaign was to define the ageing mechanisms of this type of hybrid anchor (chain-nylon), using tension and elongation sensors. The buoy was dismantled in June 2024 during a 4-day operation involving crew, divers and ROV.
- Project leader: FEM
- Funding: ADEME, Europe
- Test site: MISTRAL
- End of project: 2024
OMGES
Decarbonizing a vessel for offshore maintenance operations
A preliminary study, carried out with the MAURIC design office, has shown the impact of decarbonization on the architecture of a maintenance vessel for offshore wind power, highlighting the compromises required to achieve a high rate of decarbonization. The use of hydrogen or methanol is conceivable, and can achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. But the additional cost of supply remains a major difficulty. This study will guide the industry in the construction of a decarbonized vessel.
- Project leader: Fondation OPEN-C
- Subcontractor: MAURIC
- Funding: ADEME
- Test site: SEM-REV
- End of project: 2024
AFLOWT
Demonstrating the economical viability of floating wind power to accelerate its development in Europe
The aim of the AFLOWT project was to demonstrate the economic viability of floating wind power, and to encourage the emergence of development projects for future commercial wind farms in France, North-West Europe and, more globally, the rest of the world. Fondation OPEN-C was in charge of developing the MISTRAL test site with studies to characterize the site and size its electrical connection.
- Project leader: DMEC (Dutch Marine Energy Centre)
- Patrners: Uppsala University, DLR Institut für den Schutz maritimer Infrastrukturen, Blauwe Cluster (Blue Cluster) vzw, Flux50, BOVA ENVIRO+, ÅKP, Energy Cluster Denmark, Fondation OPEN-C, BUILDERS
- Funding: European Union - Interreg North West Europe
- Test site: MISTRAL
- End of project: 2024