The GICON®-SOF

A TECHNICAL RESPONSE TO THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY'S CHALLENGES GOING FORWARD

Offshore wind power is one of the most important backbones of a sustainable energy supply. Current construction of classic offshore wind turbines is, however, associated with enormous technical, environmental and financial challenges. It is therefore crucial for the offshore wind industry to minimize these costs and risks. Another question of vital significance for the industry is the development of projects in deeper water with high wind yields. Approximately 75% of the global offshore wind potential is located in areas with water depths greater than 30 meters; at least two-thirds are in water depths greater than 50 meters.

The GICON^®-SOF floating offshore substructure provides an ideal solution for these challenges.

GICON’s SOF development provides a floating substructure for offshore wind turbines which can be deployed in water depths of 45 to 350 meters and more while achieving LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy) of 5 to 8 € cent / kWh. This makes GICON one of the global development leaders for floating offshore wind substructures. The R&D project started in 2009 and includes renowned partners such as TU Bergakademie Freiberg (Freiberg Technical University and Mining Academy), Rostock University and Fraunhofer IWES. Thanks to the continous improvements based on results from research like extensive wind & wave tank tests, the GICON^®-SOF is ready to prove its capacities in a full scale multi-megawatt prototype.