The GICON®-SOF provides substantial cost reduction opportunities

Higher revenues

Operation of offshore wind turbines in higher wind resource areas with water depths from 45 to 350 meter and more, utilizing the GICON^®-SOF, generates higher revenues compared to offshore wind turbines on conventional bottom fixed foundations.

Reduced fabrication costs

One standardized substructure design can be utilized for an entire offshore wind park project. Differences in water depth within a site are compensated by adjusted cable lengths while the SOF substructure design and dimensions are the same for each turbine installed at the site.

At the same time, the paradigm shift from usual welded steel designs towards more efficient and innovative technologies based on prestressed ultra-high-performance-concrete and casted iron members enables significant advantages for cost savings.

Reduced installation costs and installations risks

Substructure fabrication and turbine assembly happen completely at shore, independent from weather windows. The entire platform including turbine is then towed to the offshore deployment site. Successfully conducted tank tests with a scale model suggest a towing speed of up to 5 KN at 2.5 meter swells. Expensive installation vessels or jack-up platforms are therefore not required. Decommissioning at the end of the operational lifecycle is also less costly and less complicated.

Flexibility regarding the use of different anchor types also results in less demands on suitable subsoil.

Reduction of maintenance costs

If required, the entire substructure, including tower and turbine, can be replaced. Major maintenance work can be handled at shore.

LCOE in Euro (€) cent of 5 to 8 € cent/kWh

An independent consulting group determined a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of 5 to 8 € cent/kWh for a scenario where the GICON^®-SOF is utilized in a wind park consisting of 80 6MW turbines, in 80 meter water depth and at 50 km distance from shore. Deployment in deeper water and additional optimization potential is likely to further reduce this LCOE assessment.