Innovation on floating wind energy deployment optimized for deep waters and different sea basins (Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, North-east Atlantic Ocean)

The proposal is expected to deploy in one of the possible sea basins[[The boundaries between the sea basins as defined in the Directive 2008/56/EC.]] in Europe. Further, the proposal should:

• Demonstrate how innovations (materials, technologies, designs,…) on floating wind turbines, substructures, dynamic cables, control systems and moorings positively affect production;
• Demonstrate in real use scenario the improvements that the identified solutions contribute in terms of life expectancy, cost reductions, as well as operation and maintenance of a floating offshore wind installation;
• Demonstrate how the proposed innovations positively increase rate of deployment of offshore wind in deep seas, reducing capital, operational and maintenance costs, as well as present an industrial roadmap for a floating energy industrial sector, with focus on mass production;
• Document all demonstrations fully and transparently, to ensure replicability, up-scaling and to assist future planning decisions;
• Demonstrate a modular design suited to large-scale deployment in various environments, with special focus on industrial mass production;
• Ensure minimal environmental impact of these innovations, and address how Maritime Spatial Planning can be used to facilitate the identification and optimal use of suitable locations for floating wind platforms.

The proposal has to include a clear go/no go moment ahead of entering the deployment phase. Before this go/no-go moment, the project will have to deliver the detailed engineering plans, a complete business and implementation plan and all needed permits for the deployment of the project. The proposal is expected to clearly demonstrate a proposed pathway to obtaining necessary permits for the demonstration actions and allow for appropriate timelines to achieve these. The proposal is expected to also demonstrate how it will get a financial close[[Financial close occurs when all the project and financing agreements have been signed and all the required conditions contained in them have been met. It enables funds to start flowing so that project implementation can actually start. It includes, but it is not limited to, permitting and planning approvals, outstanding technical design issues, remaining key project and financing documents, and funding approvals. More information can be found at: https://www.eib.org/epec/g2g/iii-procurement/32/323/index.htm]] for the whole action. Independent experts will assess all deliverables and will advise for the go/no-go decision.

The proposal should take a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach, to ensure that different viewpoints and interests are taken into account in development and deployment processes and to help avoid foreseeable externalities. Thus, it requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities

The selected projects are expected to contribute and participate to the activities of the project BRIDGE[[https://www.h2020-bridge.eu/]] when relevant.