Technip Energies, Université Gustave Eiffel, Valeco and OPEN-C Foundation selected for French floating wind farm project PAREF

Technip Energies (PARIS:TE) in partnership with Université Gustave Eiffel, Valeco and OPEN-C Foundation will lead the PAREF project, a research and development program aimed at accelerating the development of industrial-scale floating wind turbines. The project is funded by the French state under the France 2030 program led by ADEME. Its goal is to design, manufacture and test a reusable anchoring system, high and low connectors and tendons for a linear tensioning system, while minimizing the impact on the marine environment in real marine conditions.

The PAREF project will provide the mooring system for the NextFloat project. In 2022, Technip Energies, X1 Wind and a consortium of 10 international entities were selected by the European Commission to implement the NextFloat project. The integrated system includes the innovative and groundbreaking X1 Wind floating wind technology, featuring a lighter float structure with reduced steel requirements, as well as a compact mooring system to minimize the impact on the seabed. The 6 MW prototype will be deployed on a test site in the Mediterranean Sea to support the concept in operational conditions in the open sea.

The PAREF project is a significant step towards achieving a competitive and sustainable integrated offshore floating wind farm solution, optimized for deep water, significantly reducing costs and accelerating industrial-scale implementation. The NextFloat platform will provide the means to test the PAREF foundation system in situ for at least two years.

Jacques Vendé, PAREF Project Manager at Technip Energiescommented: “We are thrilled to have been selected for the PAREF project and to play a role in France’s ambition to lead in decarbonised and cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, as outlined in the France 2030 plan. This project represents a significant opportunity to promote the development of sustainable energy solutions and support the vision of a French green industry.”

Christelle Abadie, a researcher at Gustave Eiffel University, added: “We are excited to contribute our experience in experimental testing and analysis to the PAREF project. This initiative aligns perfectly with our ongoing activities and ambitions to advance knowledge in anchor design for the floating wind sector. The close collaboration with Technip Energies and Open-C is essential to transfer knowledge and deepen our understanding of anchor design. This project and partnership will help optimize anchor geometry and reduce the cost of mooring systems, facilitating the large-scale implementation of innovative floating wind technologies.”

Pauline Bertrand, Director of Valeco’s Offshore Division: “The PAREF project is also an innovative approach to environmental monitoring. Environmental DNA is a new way of collecting data that can be replicated for any offshore project and we felt it was necessary to test this methodology. Our participation in the PAREF project will increase our knowledge of the marine environment and the species attracted by swimmers. It will also give us the opportunity to work with new players in the Mediterranean to test complex artificial reefs.

As our goal has always been to promote and support the development of MRE, we are proud to be part of this project together with Technip Energies, Gustave Eiffel University and the Open-C Foundation.”

Bertrand Alessandrini, Managing Director of the OPEN-C Foundation commented: “The PAREF project is at the heart of the Foundation’s mission: testing and de-risking new technologies to accelerate innovation. Collaboration is essential to tackle the climate crisis and to achieve France’s and Europe’s ambitions for marine renewable energy.”