French company Naval Energies has joined trade association Offshore Wind California to pursue deployment of floating wind technology off the US state.
The company said California has excellent wind resources to support floating wind turbines, with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimating the state’s technical capacity at 112GW.
Naval Energies has more than 12 years of experience in floaters for wind turbines and is currently exploring working on plans to use its semi-submersible floater in a pilot wind farm in France on the Atlantic coast with the wind turbines of Groix & Belle-ile.
It said the area is representative of 80% of the conditions in which floating wind turbines will be installed around the world.
This specific knowledge, together with Naval Energies’ work already underway on floaters for commercial wind farms, is an asset that will provide Offshore Wind California with solid technical expertise.
The association, founded in October 2019 in San Francisco, represents offshore wind developers and technology companies focused on the California market and supports a 10GW goal for installed Californian offshore wind capacity by 2040.
Naval Energies president Laurent Schneider-Maunoury said: “We are delighted to join this collaborative venture with the companies in this association, both American and European, who share our desire to contribute to the structuring of the market and its growth worldwide.
“The large size of the components for floating wind turbines means that they must be deployed as close as possible to the operating area.
“The progress made collectively will benefit everyone in the development of local industries.”
Federal and state authorities are working to reach agreement on the specific waters appropriate for leasing after three areas off California were identified for offshore wind development by the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in 2018.
Offshore Wind California executive director of Adam Stern said: “We are very pleased to welcome Naval Energies to our organisation. This French company will bring new talent and expertise to the California market.”
Other members of Offshore Wind California include Aker Solutions, Avangrid Renewables, Equinor, Magellan Wind, Mainstream Renewable Power, Northland Power, Orsted, Principle Power, Pacific Ocean Energy Trust and Smultea Sciences.