August 02, 2022
Technology developer X1 Wind has successfully laid its dynamic cable and is now ready for final installation of its fully functional floating wind prototype at the PLOCAN Test Site, in the Canary Islands.
Having installed the modular concrete gravity anchoring system last spring, the Barcelona-headquartered firm is now announcing another significant milestone in its first ocean deployment project after completing the dynamic cable lay.
X1 Wind’s Electrical Engineering Manager Adrian Oliva said this is another breakthrough for X1 Wind:
“The 20kV dynamic cable will allow us to fully validate the floater and wind turbine performance, feeding the electricity to PLOCAN’s smartgrid, as well as transmitting data through its fiber optic connection. Also, we will be able to validate the cable’s dynamic behaviour. Understanding how our TLP mooring system reduces motions and loads on the cable, compared to catenary systems, is crucial as it will reduce fatigue and potentially extend the lifetime of this critical component.”
“Our X30 platform is fully equipped with all the electrical systems that our commercial platforms will incorporate. The Vestas V29 turbine, originally designed for fixed foundations, has been retrofitted using a full-converter supplied by ABB and the control has been optimized to floating conditions. The voltage is increased to 20kV with a transformer, to allow the connection to PLOCAN’s smartgrid with the 1.4km-long dynamic cable. The dynamic cable will be connected to our platform using an innovative connector supplied by Ditrel. All components have successfully been tested at port, and the prototype is now ready to be installed in the next suitable weather window. Once installed, we will be monitoring the platform in real-time with multiple sensors integrated in our in-house SCADA system.”
With the trade-winds now blowing strong in the Canary Islands until mid-September, X1 Wind’s team will wait for a suitable weather window to complete the towing and hook-up of the prototype.
X1 Wind’s technology offers a unique approach to floating wind, fitted with a turbine in a downwind configuration, enabling the structure to ‘weathervane’ and orientate passively to maximise energy yields. It drives greater structural efficiency with a light and flexible design, which further supports future mass production at lower cost. The platform uses a Tension Leg Platform (TLP) mooring system which reduces the platform and cable dynamic motions, minimizes the footprint on the seabed, as well as allows its installation in deep waters.
A strong collaboration with international and local supply chain partners including Noatum Logistics, Hengtong, Trames, Ditrel Industrial, Electrimega, Partnerplast and Gateway, has been instrumental for the successful installation of the dynamic cable.
Noatum Global Sales & Business Development Manager Juan Agustín Pérez Gil de Zúñiga said:
“Noatum Project Cargo is a very proud partner, involved in T&I operations such as GBS installation, transportation of the prototype and soon, towage towards installation area. We are honoured to be a part of the first steps of a game changer industry with floating offshore wind, and particularly in setting a milestone with the launching of X1 Wind’s X30 model.”
Hengtong central Europe region sales director Rui Batista said:
“With the launch and implementation of X1 Wind X30 model, connected with our special dynamic cable, we finished another project for developing clean and sustainable energy. We are very pleased and proud to have participated in the realization of such visionary project. Congratulations to the whole team and best wishes for success. We look forward to participating in more new energy projects with X1 Wind.”
Ditrel Industrial Technical Director Ibon Larrea said:
“We are very proud of our contribution to the project and the technical milestones achieved, through close collaboration between a team of different suppliers, successfully captained by X1 Wind.”
Electrimega Technical Director César Pena said:
“This project, has given our employees the opportunity to learn and train themselves in this scope of action, and provides reassurance that our islands can transition to a more sustainable and independent energy system. We don’t doubt the fact that the future is already the present, and we feel really proud of being able to collaborate with X1 Wind in the improvement of our environment.”
Gateway Data and Fiber Technician Cecilia Sánchez said:
“Gateway is proud to have collaborated with the great team that makes up X1 Wind, participating in the installation of the subsea cable for this innovative offshore wind project, supporting everything that helps to increase the environmental sustainability of the islands.”
Supported by €4million from the European Commission H2020 Program, with a consortium coordinated by X1 Wind including leading companies EDP NEW, DNV, INTECSEA, ESM and DEGIMA and world-class research centres WavEC, DTU and PLOCAN, PivotBuoy aims to substantially reduce the current Levelized Cost Of Electricity (LCOE) of floating wind. Key advantages of the PivotBuoy system include a reduced floater weight, faster and cheaper installation processes and the ability to reach deeper waters with minimal seabed footprint thanks to the TLP mooring system.
For further information about X1 Wind visit www.x1wind.com For further information on the PivotBuoy Project visit www.pivotbuoy.eu
Follow the link to access the PivotBuoy Floating Wind Project video:
X1 Wind is a disruptive floating wind technology developer. Based in Barcelona, Spain, the firm’s mission is to provide highly scalable solutions which deliver clean, affordable energy while reducing carbon emissions across the globe. The company’s unique floating wind concept was initially developed by Carlos Casanovas in 2012 while studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), before progressing with the patented technology for almost a decade. In recent years, X1 Wind has rapidly progressed its technology, having successfully executed several tank testing campaigns and completed the design, assembly, load-out, and decommissioning of a full-featured part-scale demonstrator in the Canary Islands. It has recently been selected by the European Commission to deliver the NextFloat project, an ambitious program accelerating industrial-scale floating wind together with Technip Energies and a consortium of 12 partners, to install the first commercial-scale pilot of this innovative technology in the South of France (read more). The company has steadily been building a world-class team of experts in the offshore wind industry and related sectors.
July 18, 2022
Technip Energies, X1 Wind and a consortium of 10 leading international entities have been selected by the European Commission to deliver the NextFloat project, an ambitious program accelerating industrial-scale floating wind.
NextFloat project main objectives are to demonstrate a competitive, sustainable and integrated floating offshore wind solution optimized for deep waters and to accelerate the industrial-scale deployment of floating offshore wind.
The integrated solution relies on X1 Wind innovative and disruptive floating offshore wind technology, allowing for a lighter floater design and a reduced steel requirement, as well as a more efficient and compact mooring system, ultimately minimizing the impact on seabed.
The project includes the deployment of a full scale 6MW prototype at Mistral test site in the French Mediterranean Sea in order to demonstrate the concept in operational condition. It is enabled by the participation of the Open-C foundation which structures and operates all the test sites for marine renewable energies and offshore wind power in France.
The integrated system design, its manufacturing, assembly and installation procedures will thus be tested at a scale that is relevant for the upcoming commercial offshore wind farms, that will require industrialized solutions for applications in excess of 15MW and beyond.
Laure Mandrou, SVP Carbon-Free Energy solutions of Technip Energies, commented:
“We are glad to have been selected for the NextFloat project, as part of the Horizon Europe program. By leveraging our existing collaboration with X1 Wind, we are preparing the future of the floating offshore wind market and accelerating the development of disruptive floating offshore wind solutions at industrial scale.”
Alex Raventos, CEO and co-founder of X1 Wind, said:
“We are really pleased to have the opportunity to deliver our unique solution through the NextFloat. This ambitious project aims to bring substantial improvements in the competitiveness of floating wind and prepare the long-term mass deployment of this industry, so that we can actively contribute to accelerate the energy transition, which together with energy security is becoming more and more critical in Europe and worldwide”.
Additionally to Technip Energies and X1 Wind, the consortium also counts with the participation of Naturgy, 2B-Energy, Hellenic Cables, Ocean Ecostructures, Schwartz Hautmont, Tersan Shipyard, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Ocas, Hydro and the Technical University of Denmark. The grant agreement is currently under negotiations with the European Commission and the project is expected to start in the 4th quarter of 2022.
Technip Energies is a leading Engineering & Technology company for the energy transition, with leadership positions in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen and ethylene as well as growing market positions in blue and green hydrogen, sustainable chemistry and CO2 management. The company benefits from its robust project delivery model supported by extensive technology, products and services offering.
Operating in 34 countries, our 15,000 people are fully committed to bringing our client’s innovative projects to life, breaking boundaries to accelerate the energy transition for a better tomorrow.
Technip Energies is listed on Euronext Paris with American depositary receipts (“ADRs”) traded over-the-counter in the United States.
For further information: www.technipenergies.com.
X1 Wind is a disruptive floating wind technology developer. Based in Barcelona, Spain, the firm’s mission is to provide highly scalable solutions which deliver clean, affordable energy while reducing carbon emissions across the globe. The company’s unique floating wind concept was initially developed by Carlos Casanovas in 2012 while studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), before progressing the patented technology for almost a decade. In recent years, X1 Wind has rapidly progressed its technology, having successfully executed several tank testing campaigns and completed the design, assembly and load-out of a full-featured part-scale demonstrator in the Canary Islands. It has recently been awarded the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program to develop and scale up its ground-breaking innovations and to fast-track commercial operations. The company has steadily been building a world-class team of experts in the offshore wind industry and related sectors.
February 08, 2022
Technip Energies (PARIS:TE), a leading engineering & technology company for the energy transition, today announces that it has acquired a 16.3% stake in X1 Wind, a renewable energy startup that has designed an innovative and disruptive offshore wind turbine floater with major environmental and operational benefits.
Technip Energies is the lead investor in this funding round, which also counts with the participation of the European Commission-owned European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, advised by the European Investment Bank (EIB), and some of X1 Wind’s previous shareholders. Under the terms of the agreement, Technip Energies will hold two of the nine seats on X1 Wind’s Board of Directors.
This strategic investment is supplemented by an operational agreement whereby Technip Energies will support X1 Wind’s management through its participation in joint technical and commercialization committees and bring its engineering capabilities, offshore project execution and industrialization know-how to carry the X1 Wind concept to commercial application, with the aim to include the pioneering technology in Technip Energies’ floating offshore wind (FOW) offering.
The X1 Wind Floating Offshore Wind concept is based on a Tension Leg Platform (TLP) mooring, with a weathervaning system and a downwind turbine. The design allows for a lighter floater design with a significantly reduced steel requirement and for a more efficient and restricted mooring system minimizing the impact on seabed. It is scalable for turbines of 15+ MW, facilitating cost-effective deployment for large-scale offshore wind farms. Technip Energies and X1 Wind will collaborate on the development of the first commercial-scale demonstrator, as well as the related industrialization and commercialization plans of the technology.
Willy Gauttier, Technip Energies Vice President for Floating Offshore Wind, commented:
“With this investment and collaboration, Technip Energies demonstrates that it is not only addressing today’s floating offshore wind market with its current semi-submersible technology, it is also preparing the future with this promising design to become the leader of the next generation of floaters. Thanks to our offshore project execution and experience in developing technical concepts all the way to commercialization, we are confident that X1 Wind will be a great addition to Technip Energies’ portfolio of technology solutions in the near future.’’
Alex Raventos, Co-founder and CEO of X1 Wind, said:
“Our innovation capacity and disruptive light-weight technology, coupled with Technip Energies’ decades of experience in the offshore sector and proven track-record implementing the first floating wind projects, brings a perfect alliance to develop the next generation of floating wind technology, necessary to lower the costs of the floating wind sector to meet the ambitious targets and contribute to a carbon neutral but competitive energy mix’’.
Technip Energies is a leading Engineering & Technology company for the energy transition, with leadership positions in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen and ethylene as well as growing market positions in blue and green hydrogen, sustainable chemistry and CO2 management. The company benefits from its robust project delivery model supported by extensive technology, products and services offering.
Operating in 34 countries, our 15,000 people are fully committed to bringing our client’s innovative projects to life, breaking boundaries to accelerate the energy transition for a better tomorrow.
Technip Energies is listed on Euronext Paris with American depositary receipts (“ADRs”) traded over-the-counter in the United States.
For further information: www.technipenergies.com.
X1 Wind is a disruptive floating wind technology developer. Based in Barcelona, Spain, the firm’s mission is to provide highly scalable solutions which deliver clean, affordable energy while reducing carbon emissions across the globe. The company’s unique floating wind concept was initially developed by Carlos Casanovas in 2012 while studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), before progressing the patented technology for almost a decade. In recent years, X1 Wind has rapidly progressed its technology, having successfully executed several tank testing campaigns and completed the design, assembly and load-out of a full-featured part-scale demonstrator in the Canary Islands. It has recently been awarded the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme to develop and scale up its ground-breaking innovations and to fast-track commercial operations. The company has steadily been building a world-class team of experts in the offshore wind industry and related sectors.
October 12, 2021
X1 Wind has completed the rotor assembly for its pioneering floating wind platform.
The firm’s X30 prototype is now fully assembled in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, ready for installation. Fitted with a specially adapted V29 Vestas turbine, the unique ‘downwind’ system is able to ‘weathervane’ and orientate passively with the wind to maximise energy yields.
The novel ‘tripod-like’ platform also features greater structural efficiency, with a lighter and more scalable design, while minimising environmental impact on the ocean.
X1 Wind CEO, Alex Raventos, said:
“We are thrilled to complete this latest milestone as we move towards deployment. The rotor assembly represents a symbolic moment in this project, fitting the blades which will ultimately harness the wind and demonstrate our downwind design. Strong summer trade winds in Gran Canaria brought minor delays after the initial load-out, but this exciting period brings the assembly process to fruition. In the coming weeks, we will engage in cable and anchor installations before the platform is stationed at a 50m water depth for final commissioning. From the outset, X1 Wind has been committed to find a more efficient structural approach for floating wind compared to more traditional systems. We believe we have now developed the technology to take full advantage of the marine environment, while respecting the future sustainability of the ocean. Our system will drive greater structural efficiency, reducing loads, especially the bending moments at the base of the tower, allowing for a lighter design.”
X1 Wind’s platform utilizes the best features of a semi-submersible – with a low draft – and the ability to reach deeper waters by a Tension Leg Platform (TLP) mooring system – with a small seabed footprint.
Co-founder Carlos Casanovas said the industry-wide approach for land-based turbines has traditionally focused on upwind rotors to avoid the so-called ‘tower shadow’ effect. However, upwind configurations require specific measures to prevent tower strikes, with the challenge increasing as turbine blades get longer.
X1 Wind CTO & Co-Founder Carlos Casanovas also claimed:
“With 100m plus blades becoming more prevalent in offshore environments, significant measures are needed to avoid tower strikes. This typically involves increasing the distance between the blades and tower applying a tilt and cone angle, and designing more costly pre-bent and stiffer blades, which also makes them heavier. However, these measures come with increased manufacturing complexity, cost, and potential loss of power generation. Using a downwind configuration reduces the risk of tower strikes, opening up the possibility of using lighter, more flexible, and therefore cheaper large-scale wind turbine designs. These are key characteristics which will enable the development of future ‘extreme-scale’ downwind structures with research already being conducted on 200m blades and 50MW power ratings.”
X1 Wind’s X30 deployment is being delivered in conjunction with the ground-breaking PivotBuoy Project backed by a pan-European consortium including leading companies EDP NEW, DNV, INTECSEA, ESM and DEGIMA and world-class research centres WavEC, DTU and PLOCAN.
Supported by €4million from the European Commission H2020 Program, PivotBuoy aims to substantially reduce the current Levelized Cost Of Electricity (LCOE) of floating wind. Key advantages of the PivotBuoy system include a reduced floater weight, faster and cheaper installation processes and the ability to reach deeper waters with minimal seabed footprint thanks to the TLP mooring system.
For further information about X1 Wind visit www.x1wind.com For further information on the PivotBuoy Project visit www.pivotbuoy.eu
X1 Wind is a disruptive floating wind technology developer. Based in Barcelona, Spain, the firm’s mission is to provide highly scalable solutions which deliver clean, affordable energy while reducing carbon emissions across the globe. The company’s unique floating wind concept was initially developed by Carlos Casanovas in 2012 while studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), before progressing the patented technology for almost a decade. In recent years, X1 Wind has rapidly progressed its technology, completing the design, assembly and load-out of a full-featured part-scale demonstrator. The company has also successfully executed several test campaigns, while steadily building a world-class team of offshore wind and maritime sector experts, backed by decades of experience. X1 Wind has been recognised by Sifted, the startup news agency backed by the Financial Times, as one of the top European sustainability start-ups to watch in 2021.
August 03, 2021
X1 Wind has made a series of new appointments to help accelerate full-scale commercial operations.
New additions to the team include Strategy and Business Development Director João Neves, Mechanical Engineer Javier G. Cervilla and Junior Structural Engineer Lucy Milde. The recruits bring a wealth of experience from world leading firms and institutions including the Boston Consulting Group, General Electric and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Alex introduced the new team mebers stating:
“We are thrilled to announce a series of new high-profile appointments, which will charge up the X1 Wind operation at a critical phase as we accelerate towards commercialisation,” he said. “We have focused on carefully refining our technology, in order to create a truly unique and disruptive floating wind energy solution. Our overarching aim is to make a meaningful contribution to help combat climate change through large-scale decarbonization of the energy system. With this goal in mind, we have taken time to assemble a close-knit group of excellent engineers covering all core areas necessary to develop our innovative floating wind technology as well as experts on strategy and business development. Our new recruits will play an important role, helping to inform and accelerate our technical and commercial strategy. Importantly, they bring shared values, which is crucial to the X1 Wind company ethos, backed by passion, experience and talent. In the coming months we will be progressing through a series of important stages with the PivotBuoy pilot project deploying our first operational prototype in an open ocean environment. In parallel with this we are working on the design and certification of our first full-scale floating wind unit, while evaluating pre-commercial sites and projects.”
X1 Wind’s innovative technology is designed to substantially reduce the current Levelized Cost Of Electricity (LCOE) of floating wind through reduced floater weight, a faster and cheaper installation process and a more reliable operation. The system is connected to a single point mooring system in a downwind configuration – creating a ‘weathervaning’ solution which maximises use of passive systems.
João Neves, former Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group and INSEAD MBA, said:
“I am thrilled to become a part of this project. I believe that we need to do everything we can to accelerate the energy transition, and floating wind has a massive potential to contribute to this goal. Nevertheless, it still requires innovation to become a competitive technology and that’s what we strive for at X1 Wind. It is a pleasure to work with a technology that has such a tremendous potential, alongside a world class team.”
Former Alstom Power and GE Renewable Mechanical engineer Javier G. Cervilla said:
“I am very excited to join the X1 Wind family. The team is forging a path as a world-leading floating wind developer, with a truly novel solution. I couldn’t resist this rare opportunity to help redefine floating wind rules and indulge my passion for innovative solutions, which will underpin the future energy transition.”
X1 Wind was set up in 2017. Its technology has advanced rapidly from concept design to demonstration in less than four years. This has been achieved through strong backing from private investment and public sector funding, with further recognition from leading institutions including EIT Innoenergy, EIC Accelerator, CDTI, ENISA and ACCIO, in addition to the H2020 funding for this specific project.
X1 Wind’s team benefits from more than 20 years’ experience within leading renewable energy, engineering and strategy institutions including Alstom, Siemens Gamesa, ABB, Rolls Royce, Ecotenia, Boston Consulting Group, the Singularity University, Imperial College London, INSEAD and UPC.
X1 Wind is a disruptive floating wind technology developer. Based in Barcelona, Spain, the firm’s mission is to provide highly scalable solutions which deliver clean, affordable energy while reducing carbon emissions across the globe. The company’s unique floating wind concept was initially developed by Carlos Casanovas in 2012 while studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), before progressing the patented technology for almost a decade. In recent years, X1 Wind has rapidly progressed its technology, completing the design, assembly and load-out of a fully-functional part-scale demonstrator. The company has also successfully executed several test campaigns, while steadily building a world-class team of offshore wind and maritime sector experts, backed by decades of experience. X1 Wind has been recognised by Sifted, the startup news agency backed by the Financial Times, as one of the top European sustainability start-ups to watch in 2021.
For further information about X1 Wind visit www.x1wind.com For further information on the PivotBuoy Project visit www.pivotbuoy.eu
June 22, 2021
X1 Wind has secured a multi-million euro grant to launch its first commercial floating wind project.
The floating wind technology developer has been allocated €2.5m through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme. It was named among 38 of the most promising start-ups by the EIC after being shortlisted from 4200 applications to receive funding to ‘develop and scale up ground-breaking innovations’.
X1 Wind CEO & Co-Founder Alex Raventos said the grant will provide resources to rapidly accelerate the detailed design and certification process of its first commercial large-scale floating wind units.
The firm is currently preparing to deploy its ground-breaking PivotBuoy® technology at 1:3 scale in the Canary Islands after successfully completing the assembly and load-out. The fully functional (X30) prototype is equipped with a Vestas V29 turbine and will be stationed at a 50m water depth at the PLOCAN test site with full exposure to open ocean conditions.
X1 Wind CEO & Co-Founder, Alex Raventos, said:
“Following a rigorous application process, we are delighted to report our successful bid for EIC Accelerator funding. This is the result of a tremendous team effort and represents a major vote of confidence in our technology which has matured significantly in recent years, now offering a truly unique and disruptive form on floating wind energy. The cash injection will be specifically used to fast-track the detailed design and certification of our first large-scale floating wind unit. We are currently in the process of evaluating potential pre-commercial sites and projects, in order to continue driving momentum following our current demonstration project in the Canary Islands.”
X1 Wind initially attracted the attention of the EIC due to its innovative take on floating wind. The firm’s technology is designed to substantially reduce the current Levelized Cost Of Electricity (LCOE) of floating wind through reduced floater weight, a faster and cheaper installation process and a more reliable operation. The system is connected to a single point mooring system in a downwind configuration – creating a ‘weathervaning’ solution which maximises use of passive systems.
The start-ups and SMEs selected for the EIC Accelerator Pilot come from 18 countries. All of which underwent a highly competitive evaluation by external experts. After whittling down thousands of entries the highest scoring 134 applications were invited to pitch online to an independent jury of experts, investors and entrepreneurs. As well as the financial support, the benefactors also have access to coaching, networking and business acceleration services to help build their businesses.
Alex also spoke about X1 Wind innovative and disruptive technology:
“Our next-generation floating wind platform has a unique design that scales up efficiently with increasingly larger turbines. In addition, the platform’s modular design is highly suitable for mass manufacturing, advancing the industrialization plans for serial fabrication of floating wind,” added Mr Raventos. “This will enable us to meet the considerable demand and fuel ambitious targets set out for the global expansion of the industry. X1 Wind’s final commercial-scale design will draw on knowledge and expertise from experienced fabricators, shipyards and ports to automate and streamline processes, which will ultimately help drive down costs.“
X1 Wind is a disruptive floating wind technology developer. Based in Barcelona, Spain, the firm’s mission is to provide highly scalable solutions which deliver clean, affordable energy while reducing carbon emissions across the globe. The company’s unique floating wind concept was initially developed by Carlos Casanovas in 2012 while studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), before progressing the patented technology for almost a decade. In recent years, X1 Wind has rapidly progressed its technology, completing the design, assembly and load-out of a fully-functional part-scale demonstrator. The company has also successfully executed several test campaigns, while steadily building a world-class team of offshore wind and maritime sector experts, backed by decades of experience. X1 Wind has been recognised by Sifted, the startup news agency backed by the Financial Times, as one of the top European sustainability start-ups to watch in 2021.
For further information about X1 Wind visit www.x1wind.com For further information on the PivotBuoy Project visit www.pivotbuoy.eu
May 04, 2021
X1 Wind is preparing to deploy its ground-breaking PivotBuoy® floating wind technology in the Canary Islands after successfully completing the assembly and load-out of a fully-functional prototype.
The prototype has been developed through the €4million PivotBuoy Project awarded by the European Commission H2020 Program.
It will be installed at the PLOCAN test site with full exposure to open ocean conditions in a bid to demonstrate the efficiency of the innovative structural design and mooring system.
The pan-European Pivotbuoy consortium includes leading companies EDP NEW, DNV, INTECSEA, ESM and DEGIMA and world-class research centres WavEC, PLOCAN and DTU.
The Pivotbuoy Project is aiming to substantially reduce the current Levelized Cost Of Electricity (LCOE) of floating wind by demonstrating the advantages of the PivotBuoy system, namely a reduced floater weight, a faster and cheaper installation process and a more reliable operation.
Fitted with a Vestas V29 turbine, the 1:3 scale prototype (X30) will be stationed at a 50m water depth through a single point mooring system in a downwind configuration – creating a ‘weathervaning’ solution which maximises use of passive systems.
X1 Wind CTO & Co-Founder, Carlos Casanovas, said:
“We are immensely grateful to our project partners who have all played an instrumental role, with careful planning and preparation to ensure the X30 prototype’s successful assembly and load-out,” he said.
“Portside testing of all subsystems will be performed over the coming weeks, before PivotBuoy is installed in the PLOCAN test site and connected via a dynamic 20kV cable, later progressing to the commissioning phase – the timing of which will be determined by environmental conditions.“
Construction of the X30 Platform was completed last November by DEGIMA in Santander, before being shipped in different segments to Gran Canaria. Structural assembly was managed entirely onshore at Hidramar Shipyard, Las Palmas, using regular LTM mobile cranes and local equipment.
Carlos Casanovas explained the benefits of the PivotBuoy development:
“Throughout the process we were able to mobilise and engage local supply chains, which is a key feature of our future fabrication and deployment plan for full-scale units. Local manufacturing, assembly and load out supports the development of local economies and job creation in the offshore wind sector, while also avoiding long transit times and saving costs and carbon emissions for future projects. Importantly, our floating wind technology offers a lighter design requiring less steel – which also reduces carbon emissions during fabrication – and requires a significantly smaller footprint on the ocean floor when compared to catenary systems. The scalability of our technology further enables us to transition easily up to 15MW mega-turbines operating at depths of 500m plus.”
X1 Wind was set up in 2017. Its technology has advanced rapidly from concept design to demonstration in less than four years. This has been achieved through strong backing from private investment and public sector funding, with further recognition from leading institutions including EIT Innoenergy, EIC Accelerator, CDTI, ENISA and ACCIO, in addition to the H2020 funding for this specific project.
X1 Wind CEO & Co-Founder Alex Raventos said:
“This is a significant step forward for X1 Wind, preparing the way to demonstrate how our innovative technology can deliver dramatic cost savings and firmly position floating wind as a competitive green energy resource.”
“We have a clear trajectory with funding secured to design and certify our technology at full-scale. This will allow us to move swiftly in the short term through the pre-commercial phase. X1 Wind is a progressive company, driven by talented individuals with a passion for the environment and a mission to re-direct the future energy transition. Our technology can play a crucial role to reduce harmful climate change and reenergise global efforts to limit temperature rises to 1.5C, in line with the UN’s Paris Climate Agreement and EU’s 2050 Climate Neutrality target.”
J.W. Timmermans, Engineering manager (INTECSEA), pointed out that
“INTECSEA is very pleased to have been able to contribute to the realization of this PivotBuoy prototype, which offers exciting opportunities for cost-effective development of offshore wind resources. We appreciate the professionalism with which X1Wind has led the project to this major milestone and we look forward to a successful offshore trial period.”
Claudio Bittencourt, Business Development Director (DNV) mentioned that
“As partner in the H2020 project, DNV has contributed to the development and improvement of this project so that it is positioned for the technical challenges that come with its future commercialisation. The project provides an excellent opportunity to implement and rigorously test the technology and accelerate the much needed energy transition where floating wind is expected to play a major role.”
The PivotBuoy concept was initially developed by Mr Casanovas in 2012 while studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), before progressing the patented technology for almost a decade. X1 Wind’s team benefits from more than 20 years’ experience within leading renewable energy, engineering and strategy institutions including Alstom, Siemens Gamesa, ABB, Rolls Royce, General Electric, Ecotenia, Boston Consulting Group, the Singularity University, MIT, Imperial College London, INSEAD and UPC.
For further information about X1 Wind visit www.x1wind.com For further information on the PivotBuoy Project visit www.pivotbuoy.eu
The PivotBuoy Project aims to validate the benefits of the PivotBuoy® mooring system, An Advanced System for Cost-effective and Reliable Mooring, Connection, Installation & Operation of Floating Wind. While the scope of the project is on demonstrating the innovative PivotBuoy® single point mooring system, it will also enable the test of the Vestas V29 turbine adapted in a downwind configuration in real floating conditions at PLOCAN test site in the Canary Islands. The Consortium is formed by nine partners from five different countries including X1 Wind, EDP NEW, DNV, INTECSEA, ESM, DEGIMA, WavEC, PLOCAN, and DTU. The project officially started in April 2019 and will last for 36 months.
March 03, 2021
Four years ago, Alex Raventos and Carlos Casanovas founded X1 Wind with a very disruptive idea. Today, the idea is about to become a reality while X1 Wind approaches the commissioning of its first fully operational prototype: a floating platform that will be installed in the Canary Islands in the upcoming months integrating a Vestas V29 turbine that has been adapted to downwind.
During these four years, X1 Wind has advanced fast in the development of its technology, completing a proof of concept and validation of the technology and defining its identity through smart, efficient, and creative work. The company has grown fast, attracting top talent from multidisciplinary backgrounds in the fields of wind energy, mechanical, electrical, structural, aeronautical and naval engineering and business strategy. Now, after two years of work under the scope of the PivotBuoy project, the company is about to finish the portside assembly of its first operational prototype which will be launched very soon. The platform will be operating for one year in open oceans in the Canary Islands demonstrating the advantages of X1 Wind’s disruptive technology.
The new logo aims to capture our soul as a young technology-based company made of top-tier professionals who share a passion for the environment and for finding smart solutions to solve the climate challenge. Our contribution is a small step in the right direction: to harness part of the 50TW potential of offshore wind in deep waters, as recently estimated by the World Bank. With our new colors, inspired in real wind maps, we want to represent our commitment and ability to bring an optimal floating wind solution able to harness the offshore wind resources in a cost-effective manner, and our mission to contribute to building a sustainable future for all.
To learn more about X1 Wind and keep up to date on the launching of our prototype, follow us on our LinkedIn and Twitter channels!
X1 Wind’s mission is to provide highly scalable solutions to reduce carbon emissions and provide affordable clean energy globally. In the last years, X1 Wind has continued to develop its disruptive floating wind technology, completing the design of a fully functional part-scale demonstrator, and successfully executing several testing campaigns, putting together a team of experts with decades of experience in the offshore wind and marine sectors. The company has been recognized as one of the cleantech start-ups with highest potential impact in Europe.
January 28, 2021
After almost two years of hard work, X1 Wind’s floating structure developed by X1 Wind in close collaboration with the PivotBuoy project partners is nearing completion and moving forward towards the commissioning phase at PLOCAN test site in the Canary Islands.
The PivotBuoy Project will demonstrate the advantages of the PivotBuoy® system, with the tests of a 1:3 scale prototype with a Vestas V29 turbine adapted in a downwind configuration in real operational conditions. The Consortium is formed by nine partners: X1Wind, ESM, WavEC, PLOCAN, INTECSEA, EDP, DTU, DNV GL and DEGIMA.
The manufacturing phase of the project was successfully completed last November by DEGIMA, in Santander, and the structure was shipped to Gran Canaria by Actanis, the specialized project cargo division of Noatum. To facilitate the transportation and handling operations, the prototype was shipped in 9 different parts from Santander to Las Palmas, where the portside assembly is taking place in Hidramar, a shipyard with over 25 years of experience in the Oil&Gas industry and Naval sector.
The assembly operations started before Christmas with the positioning of the three columns and the placement of the pontoons, shaping the floating base of the platform. In the past weeks, the top structure has been assembled, composed of the three masts that hold the downwind turbine, completing the structural assembly in Hidramar’s onshore dockyard. Finally, last week the Vestas V29 nacelle was installed on top of the PivotBuoy structure while the structure was still onshore, de-risking the operation and following onshore wind turbine installation standards. The blades will be installed after the load-out of the platform while the platform is still docked at quayside, allowing the operation to be performed by regular onshore cranes instead of heavy lift vessels normally needed to install offshore turbines. To streamline the procedures, X1 Wind engineers and PivotBuoy partners have worked in close cooperation with Hidramar technical office and workshop personnel, to oversee all assembly operations and gather know-how and feedback from the assembly strategy.
“During the last months, the main structural parts of the PivotBuoy prototype have been assembled. It has been done onshore, in Hidramar’s quay, using regular LTM mobile cranes and local equipment, avoiding risky and expensive heavy lift offshore operations”
Says Jorge Casanovas, X1Wind’s Site & Operations Manager.
In the following weeks, all electrical system will be installed and tested while the platform is onshore, further reducing costs and simplifying the operations. For all the performed operations a combination of local cranes has been used, equipment that can be typically found in most portside facilities.
X1 Wind’s goal is to develop wind floating structures that can be assembled and installed using local infrastructure to reduce costs and enhance scalability, while maximizing the local content in the areas where the systems will be operating. This approach also untaps the potential of floating offshore wind in remote locations without large port infrastructure, opening new markets, creating local value and contributing to its mission to tackle the current climate emergency.
The PivotBuoy Project aims to validate the benefits of the PivotBuoy® mooring system, An Advanced System for Cost-effective and Reliable Mooring, Connection, Installation & Operation of Floating Wind. While the scope of the project is on demonstrating the innovative PivotBuoy® single point mooring system, it will also enable the test of the Vestas V29 turbine adapted in a downwind configuration in real floating conditions at PLOCAN test site in the Canary Islands.
The Consortium is formed by nine partners from five different countries: X1Wind, ESM, WavEC, PLOCAN, INTECSEA, EDP, DTU, DNV GL and DEGIMA. The project officially started in April 2019 and will last for 36 months.
For further information about the project you can visit the project’s website:
www.pivotbuoy.eu or follow us on Twitter (@pivotbuoy) or LinkedIn.
