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.

Board of Governors

Executive management

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

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 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 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.