MoU strengthens floating wind mooring tech

X1 Wind, based in Barcelona, Spain, has developed a concept that has been demonstrated at part scale in the Canary Islands with a view to enabling industrial-scale floating wind installations.

After a few years of working with various partners, it has now joined up with Netherlands-based FibreMax, a synthetic cable producer that makes endless winding technology, pendants and tendons ‘with the highest efficiency currently possible’, It claims.

X1 Wind’s technology encompasses passive weather-vaning and self-orientation capabilities, achieved through the integration of a Single Point Mooring (SPM) system with a small Tension Leg Platform (TLP) mooring system, it says.

“The Spanish firm is making rapid progress developing its pre-commercial and commercial units, while its earlier X30 device was recognised as the world’s first fully functional floating wind TLP to export electricity,” a spokesman said.

“One of the key benefits of X1 Wind’s TLP is the vertical mooring tendons, which ensure a small seabed footprint, enhancing compatibility with other marine activities . like fishing, while also allowing for a larger number of platforms to be placed within a given offshore area – increasing energy capacity.

“The latest collaboration with FibreMax will now explore opportunities to boost performance and sustainability of its mooring configuration with the introduction of synthetic cables, with improved strength, durability, low-weight and no-creep characteristics. Crafted with circular or recyclable materials, FibreMax cables will enhance the floating wind platform’s green credentials.”

“Partnering with major supply chain manufacturers like FibreMax is of the utmost importance for X1 Wind, as it enables us to design our floating solution with state-of-the-art components and materials that can be mass produced, in this case specifically for our TLP tendons,” said X1 Wind CEO Alex Raventos.

“This MoU not only strengthens our commitment to advancing floating offshore wind technology, but also opens new possibilities for innovation and sustainability together with FibreMax.”