[MISTRAL] OPEN-C Foundation is part of the AFLOWT project for the acceleration of floating offshore wind

The aim of the AFLOWT project, for Accelerating market uptake of Floating Offshore Wind Technology, is to demonstrate the economic relevance of floating wind turbines and to encourage the emergence of development projects with a view to future commercial wind farms in France, North-West Europe and, more broadly, the rest of the world.

on September 15, 2023

The EC ratified a target of 27% of renewable energy by 2030, in association with a target of 40% carbon reduction.  NWE needs to decarbonise its energy system.  Wind energy is currently the most mature & cost-effective means of renewable energy generation, however land space and access to shallow offshore site (less than 50m water depth) are limited; space for future deployments is a major issue for further increasing wind generation capacity.

Wide spread market uptake of wind energy in deep water sites requires 4 elements;
  • Demonstration of high survivability cost competitive Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) technology
  • Raise awareness with and provide confidence to investors and project developers regarding technology investability
  • Creation of supportive policy environment
  • Develop an active supply chain
The AFLOWT project will take a number of steps to address these issues and contribute to the development of floating wind turbines in Europe.
 
OPEN-C Foundation role:
OPEN-C Foundation is the French national test center for floating wind and marine renewable energy (MRE) which brings together resources & infrastructures for offshore demonstration. Over the next few years, the OPEN-C Foundation will carry out several major innovations, including the testing of second-generation floating wind turbine prototypes.

The Mistral test site in the Mediterranean Sea (off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône) has been managed by Valeco since 2019 and is now one of the five test sites operated by the OPEN-C Foundation. This site, currently under construction, is located 5km from the coast and is authorized for two floating wind turbines.

MEMOFLOW du site Mistral- Crédit France Energies Marines In 2023, thanks to the AFLOWT project, the site construction studies have been finalized :
  • installation of instrumentation,
  • environmental monitoring
  • metocean conditions monitoring
  • grid connection studies
  • users consultation etc.
This test site will boost the floating wind industry commercial development in Europe by providing space for real scale demonstration. In the long term, the MISTRAL site will contribute to the carbon emission reduction targets set by Europe.
Published on September 15, 2023 Updated on September 15, 2023