The OPEN-C Foundation
The largest offshore test centre for floating wind and Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) in Europe
The OPEN-C Foundation is a non-profit public-interest organisation which contributes to a more rapid energy transition and to enhancing France's position on these strategic issues.
This partnership foundation, created in March 2023, coordinates, develops and manages offshore tests.
Target sectors
The development of floating wind turbines is now a priority in order to accelerate the development of this strategic sector. Other sectors will also be the focus of a national development strategy.
OPEN-C foundation missions
- Develop offshore infrastructure: develop existing test sites and create new test sites
- Operate and maintain offshore test sites
- Support prototype and technological component testing
- Encourage investment in infrastructure through sponsorship
- Ensure environmental monitoring and site characterisation
- Disseminate knowledge to the scientific community and the general public
- Train staff to manage and maintain the test sites
- Consolidate the national Marine Renewable Energy sector
Types of projects hosted on the offshore sites
The main activity of the OPEN-C Foundation is to host collaborative experimental research projects. A majority of these projects are set up within the framework of European or national calls for projects.
Connected projects :
- Grid-connected prototypes of all technologies
Off-grid projects :
- Emerging technologies (small size or wave energy)
- Technological bricks: anchors, dynamic cables, connection hub (submarine), monitoring and measurement systems, hydrogen technology, etc.
- Environmental observation equipment
Non-technological research projects :
- Knowledge of the environment
- Interactions with technologies
Offshore test sites provide a platform for a demonstrator’s "maiden flight" in Marine Renewable Energy. Test sites constitute essential infrastructure for hosting grid-connected and off-grid offshore test projects.