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The first robust and cost-effective floating vertical axis wind turbine for deep water offshore

Project description

Versatile offshore wind turbine resolves issues of water depth and cost

Harnessing the high offshore wind speeds with either bottom-fixed turbines or floating ones has been beset with obstacles, including water depth and high maintenance costs. SeaTwirl project introduces a novel solution with a smaller spar-buoy and uses the buoyant force of the ocean to support the weight of the turbine. The model has few moving parts, can be used in a cluster, and does not depend on wind direction. In the growing renewables sector, SeaTwirl is easier and cheaper to maintain, produces low noise, and does not threaten the natural environment. The turbine is unique and suited for use in islands, coastal areas and offshore companies including fish farms as well as oil and gas rigs.

Objective

Offshore wind is stronger, steadier and more frequent than onshore. Existing solutions in this industry are bottom-fixed and floating wind turbines, both based on Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines technology and marked by certain limitations. Bottom-fixed turbines can only be installed in waters of up to 50m depth, while floating ones struggle to produce energy at a competitive cost, mainly due to very high CAPEX/OPEX.
SeaTwirl opens up this vast market potential with a disruptive offshore turbine that combines the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine technology with an effective and smaller spar-buoy. SeaTwirl has key advantages over competition:
-Economic: it’s cheaper; has -14% CAPEX, -22% OPEX & -46% DECEX, less service & maintenance; -20% LCoE.
-Technical: few moving parts; works regardless of wind direction; can be placed closer together; provides power continuously; uses the water’s buoyancy to carry the weight.
-Environment: clean energy; low noise levels; safe for birds; helps protect marine environment.
SeaTwirl is highly scalable too. First, we will develop S2, a 1-MW turbine which will pave the way for larger ones: 7MW (2025), 10MW (2028) & >30MW thereafter.
SeaTwirl will cover the needs of offshore users without connection to a power grid: a) Isolated public municipalities (Islands/Coastal areas), b) Offshore industry companies (fish farms/oil & gas rigs). We will target these 2 buyer groups, who will acquire S2 for their own use, as well as energy distribution companies that will provide with energy those who do not wish to invest in S2.
This project is key for our further development and our huge potential: the offshore wind industry is one of the world’s fastest growing sectors, estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% by 2017-2025.
By 2025, we expect to 1) sell 118 MW installed capacity (from a TAM of 2.570 MW); 2) reach over €105M revenues, €19,5M EBITDA, an estimated NPV of €14,3M & an IRR of 44,3%; and 5) create over 50 new direct jobs & about 250 indirect jobs.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2

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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) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

SEATWIRL AB
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.

€ 2 482 025,00
Address
LILLA BOMMEN 1 PLAN 13
411 04 Goteborg
Sweden

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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
Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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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.

€ 3 545 750,00
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