Periodic Reporting for period 2 - X1 ACCELERATOR (Accelerating the implemention of X1 Wind disruptive floating wind technolgy)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-02-01 bis 2023-07-31
Europe has an opportunity to harness an estimated potential of 4,000 GW through the deployment of floating wind solutions in deep waters. However, current floating wind technology is not competitive in price to be large-scale deployed and help reach EU ambition of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Thus, through the X1 ACCELERATOR project, X1 Wind worked on the design and certification of its first commercial-scale product, the X90 platform for turbines in the 6MW range. The objective was to develop a disruptive floating wind system to change the paradigm of the wind energy industry, that can be used to exploit sites located in deep waters, and bring X1 Wind’s innovative floating wind technology to the market; enabling a significant cost reduction of the current costs of floating wind in order to achieve a competitive Levelized Cost of Energy.
X1 ACCELERATOR Project accelerated and facilitated the entire process of designing commercial platforms, starting from the development of the part-scale prototype (X30) and progressing through the 6 MW pre-commercial platform (X90) to the creation of the preliminary industrialization plan for the 15MW+ commercial platforms (X150).
Altogether, the X1 ACCELERATOR is considered a very successful project which will now be followed up with the scaling up of the technology into a commercial-scale pilot (NextFloat Project).
Thus, through the X1 ACCELERATOR project, X1 Wind worked on the design and certification of its first commercial-scale product, the X90 platform for turbines in the 6MW range. The objective was to develop a disruptive floating wind system to change the paradigm of the wind energy industry, that can be used to exploit sites located in deep waters, and bring X1 Wind’s innovative floating wind technology to the market; enabling a significant cost reduction of the current costs of floating wind in order to achieve a competitive Levelized Cost of Energy.
X1 ACCELERATOR Project accelerated and facilitated the entire process of designing commercial platforms, starting from the development of the part-scale prototype (X30) and progressing through the 6 MW pre-commercial platform (X90) to the creation of the preliminary industrialization plan for the 15MW+ commercial platforms (X150).
Altogether, the X1 ACCELERATOR is considered a very successful project which will now be followed up with the scaling up of the technology into a commercial-scale pilot (NextFloat Project).
In the first half of the project, the focus has been the advancement of the design of the commercial scale X90 floating wind platform (for 6MW turbines) as well as starting the certification process. At the same time, several tests were carried out to validate the X90 design including a tank testing campaign, component tests in the lab as well adding new materials, paints and key components in the X30 platform (1:3 scale) for their validation before scaling up to the X90. Also, a data management plan was developed and the company received the confirmation of one patent, filed a second one and closed a new investment round with the investment of Technip Energies, the EIC Fund and other current shareholders.
Throughout the second half of the project the design of the X90 platform was developed until reaching its basic design at the end of the period. This design developmend run in parallel with the X90 design certification process along with the certification body. The Statement of Feasibility (SoF) was reached at the end of the project, while the final certification will be reached when obtaining the Statement of Conformity (SoC) expected in the coming months. Additionally, an extra tank testing campaign was performed to validate the new and most updated X90 design to better simulate turbine loads. During this period X1 Wind also developed the concept design of the X150 platform for 15MW turbines.
Also, manufacturing, transport & installation, commissioning, operation & maintenance plans were developed for a X90 pilot, as well as a preliminary industrialization plan for the X150 one.
Finally, an environmental assessment was developed, a report on the communication and dissemination activities, gathering all the events and international conferences in which the company participated, as well as an update of the business plan.
Throughout the second half of the project the design of the X90 platform was developed until reaching its basic design at the end of the period. This design developmend run in parallel with the X90 design certification process along with the certification body. The Statement of Feasibility (SoF) was reached at the end of the project, while the final certification will be reached when obtaining the Statement of Conformity (SoC) expected in the coming months. Additionally, an extra tank testing campaign was performed to validate the new and most updated X90 design to better simulate turbine loads. During this period X1 Wind also developed the concept design of the X150 platform for 15MW turbines.
Also, manufacturing, transport & installation, commissioning, operation & maintenance plans were developed for a X90 pilot, as well as a preliminary industrialization plan for the X150 one.
Finally, an environmental assessment was developed, a report on the communication and dissemination activities, gathering all the events and international conferences in which the company participated, as well as an update of the business plan.
X1 Wind developed and completed the basic design and engineering of a commercial scale floating wind platform, which resulted in a significant reduction of weight and allowing for an easier and faster installation. By fast-tracking the commercial development of floating wind, the project will contribute to a significant increase of renewable energy, reducing carbon emission, while enabling job creation in key industrial sectors (e.g. naval) and employment in local communities in coastal areas.
Also, during this project period the support of the EIC Accelerator has allowed the startup to increase the size the team to >40 staff, with a strong commitment to gender equality with more than 30% being women, significantly above the average in the offshore wind sector.
Also, during this project period the support of the EIC Accelerator has allowed the startup to increase the size the team to >40 staff, with a strong commitment to gender equality with more than 30% being women, significantly above the average in the offshore wind sector.