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 high impact project 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

 

FOUNDERS

 

5 REGIONS INVOLVED

 

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

• Develope 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

The OPEN-C Foundation will support the massive development of the sector by building a new site to carry out "High Power" tests. The site will be used to test 2 to 3 wind turbines of up to 20 MW simultaneously.

This development will be in addition to the investments required on the existing sites.

The main activity of the OPEN-C Foundation is to host collaborative experimental research projects. The majority of these projects are set up in the framework of European or national calls for projects.

> Grid-connected projects:

• Grid-connected prototypes for all types of technology

> Off-grid projects:

• Emerging technologies (small scale or wave)
• Key components: moorings, dynamic cables, electrical hub (underwater), monitoring and measurement systems, hydrogen technology, etc.
• Environmental observation equipment

> Non-technological research projects:

• Environmental knowledge
• Interactions with technologies

Offshore test sites provide the 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.