Bringing Offshore Ocean Sun to the global market

Project Information

BOOST

Grant agreement ID: 965671

DOI 10.3030/965671

Closed project

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 30 June 2023

Funded under

• Horizon 2020 Framework Programme

Total cost € 4 007 105,00

EU contribution € 2 919 449,00

Coordinated by

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BOOST (Bringing Offshore Ocean Sun to the global market)

Reporting period: 2021-01-01 to 2022-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The BOOST project has in this period progressed well towards meeting the objectives of the project plan, despite covid and the ongoing global supply challenges which are adding complexity and delay to the project.
The first phase focused on performing computer simulations and prepare the first model test at Sintef Ocean in Trondheim (Norway). The model test was performed in a towing tank with a simplified mooring system. The main purpose of the test was to confirm the mooring forces, green sea issues, friction coefficients between membrane and water and general system behaviour in rough sea.
The second phase focused on detail engineering, building, instrumentation and data management. The detailed engineering progressed well with input from all the Partners in the consortium. Ocean Sun and Innosea both improved their simulations models based on the input from the scale model testing. The results from this were used as input to the final model scale test performed in the Sintef Oceanmain test basin.
Ocean Sun and Fred.Olsen Renewables have worked together to develop and integrate an instrumentation and data management system for the operation phase. The system consists of a hardware package installed on the ring controlled by a purpose developed software. The system shall monitor all critical parts as well as operation criteria like wave, current, wind and solar production.
The consortium visited Gran Canaries in the last week of October 2021 to meet the Consortium Partners, suppliers, authorities and visit the PLOCAN platform and potential construction sites.
The third phase includes the confirmation model test at Sintef Ocean, alignment of the full-scale prototype simulations and release of the full-scale model. The model testing at Sintef Ocean was performed in February 2022 in the main basin. This included correct mooring setup, wind, current and waves. Sintef Ocean issued a report from the testing that is currently being reviewed by the Partners. Innosea and OSAS are also aligning their computer simulations models with the test result. When this is performed the full-scale model can be released.
Due to new information, obtained during Period 1, about the prototype operational issues (e.g. insurance and potential need for a stand-by vessel) and construction issues (e.g. lead time and logistical issues), the consortium will consider amending the scope and schedule for subsequent phases of the project.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Deliverables finalized during period 1:
- Documents:
D1.1–OSAS- An initial design defining the scale model and scope of testing
D1.2-OSAS-Quality assured design for the scale model and scope of testing (moved 1 june to include Sintef testing)
D1.3-OSAS-Detailed design package as basis for pilot procurement, construction and installation
D2.1-FORAS-A 1:16 scale model test of OSAS FPV system
D3.1-PLOCAN-Report with environmental information/data from the test-site
D5.2-FORAS-Dissemination and Exploitation Plan (DEP) – interim
D6.2-FORAS-Business plan and IPR report – interim
Scale model testing Sintef Ocean, Trondheim, Norway:
- Towing tank testing
- Basin testing
The main achievements in Periodic 1 have been completing the scale basin test at Sintef Ocean. Input from all the Partners contributed to a very successful test. The test included different mooring setups, wind, current and waves.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

During and at the end of the project, BOOST addresses key challenges with the new FPV system partly inspired by the floating and mooring technology that has been used over 20 years in rough Norwegian waters by the fish farming industry, combined with a disruptive and patented floating hydro-elastic membrane (<1mm thickness). The validation of this technology in non-sheltered sea waters lead consortium expects to reach an installed capacity of 1,750 MW for the 5 years (6.2% of the SAM), contributing to avoid CO2 emission of 4,120 kt (but each PV plant will last for at least 25 years, so the long-term impact is 5 times larger).

Solar PV illustration