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Making access to the ocean affordable through our SeaSprings mooring solution

Project description

Innovative and environmentally friendly solution for mooring systems

Addressing complex offshore mooring challenges involves enhancing mooring system strength. The EIC-funded TfI SeaSprings project proposes an innovative mooring system for structures like floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs). This patent-pending solution aims to reduce peak loads on the mooring system by approximately 50 % and decrease wear and tear by around 30 %. Consequently, mooring systems can be lighter, have an extended lifespan, and require smaller deployment vessels, significantly reducing capital expenditure (CapEx) and operating expenditure (OpEx). The solution also lessens environmental impact through a smaller footprint, lighter chains, and a semi-taut system, as opposed to a catenary system.

Objective

TfI SeaSprings is a novel mooring solution for floating offshore structures, e.g. floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs). State-of-the-art mooring systems mainly approach the complex offshore mooring challenge by increasing the system's strength. Our patent-pending TfI SeaSprings innovation changes mooring system response to reduce peak loads by ~50% and wear and tear by ~30%. As a result, mooring systems can be significantly lighter, their lifespan can be extended, and it allows use of smaller deployment vessels with greater availability and a reduction of ~€170k/day on vessel hire. These factors all lower CapEx and OpEx, which can support FOWTs in reaching target levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of €90/MWh from €160/MWh. This makes SeaSprings a very attractive solution to FOWT developers and energy consumers. The smaller footprint, lighter chains and use of a semi-taut rather than catenary system, reduces environmental impact and crucially opens up new locations for deployment.

Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended Finance

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-ACCELERATOR-01

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Coordinator

TFI MARINE LIMITED
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 425 934,35
Address
Unit 8 Blackrock Business Park Carysfort Avenue
A94 W209 Dublin
Ireland

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Ireland Eastern and Midland Dublin
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 3 465 620,50
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