FibreMax, headquartered in Joure, the Netherlands, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Entrion Wind of Houston, USA.
This collaborative venture aims to propel offshore wind energy into deeper waters, literally. It will focus on combining FibreMax's specialised fibre tendon technology, which claims to produce the strongest cable available, with Entrion Wind's innovative FRP (fully restrained platform) wind foundation monopile design, which accommodates mooring solutions based on chain, spiral strand wire, and high strength fibre tendons.
The common goal is to extend the operating depth of established monopile industries up to 100 m. The two companies believe this will make wind energy more accessible and cost-effective.
Under the MoU, both companies will work jointly on qualifying FibreMax’s high-strength fibre tendons for the FRP design. The partners will also be developing site-specific offerings for various FRP mooring configurations. Should the technology successfully commercialise, FibreMax is ready to establish additional satellite fabrication facilities to meet local content needs.
"This FRP technology may extend the operating depth and improve the economics and supply chain of monopiles from 50 to 100 metres," commented Sander van Helvoort, director of Renewable Energy at FibreMax.
