Italian company Saipem has signed a collaboration agreement with research centre Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR) to help advance the Hexafloat floating offshore wind concept.
Saipem has published patent that is awaiting validation of a pendulum type floating foundation for a wind turbine.
A CNR research project funded by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development will assess the concept, using numerical models and a model test at the Istituto di Ingegneria del Mare (INM) indoor basin, as well as fabrication and installation of a prototype in the waters a test centre off Naples.
The prototype will be managed by CNR, INM and the engineering department at the Universita degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli.
The first Hexafloat prototype is expected in the water in spring 2021.
Saipem XSight division chief operating officer Mauro Piasere said: “This agreement represents the start of a synergy between the biggest Italian research centre and Saipem, leading to an advancement in the TRL (technology readiness level) of our floating foundation and at the same time to an improvement of the design criteria which are fundamentals to accelerate the cost reduction curve.”
Saipem E&C offshore division chief operating officer Francesco Racheli said: “The signing of this agreement, which sees Hexafloat as a fundamental element in the push towards a viable and diversified energy transition, testifies to the growing success of our offshore renewables strategy.
“The agreement will further consolidate our innovative Research and Development activities in floating offshore wind not only in Italy but the world over.”