Launch of the real exposure tests of the anticorrosion and antifouling coatings
12 August 2024
The MAREWIND project started in December 2020 and today is one step further to deliver a real value proposition for the future of the offshore wind energy. On the one hand, the technical results already collected, have validated the key technological developments regarding protective coatings, advanced concretes and innovative recyclable composites. On the other hand, the modelling tools developed are showing relevant conclusions including predictive data for corrosion evolution as well as suitable identification of on-site defects regarding Structural Health Monitoring systems. Moreover, the first conclusions regarding LCA show important environmental advantages for the different developments, so this final stage of the project is expected to be full of highlights.
On December 2023, the MAREWIND project achieved a significant milestone by deploying the Gravity-based structure (GBS) in open sea. Collaborating with the Hydrographic Institute from Portuguese Navy, the GBS was successfully deployed in Sines (Portugal). In July 2024, the GBS will be retrieved from the seabed to conduct an analysis of the results.
Additionally, Enerocean provided data from experimental work including real exposure tests that has been used for feeding the modelling carried out by Idener. In this context, MAREWIND has performed real scenarios simulation in Teesside and Canary Islands, where the protective effect of coatings was evaluated as well as the impact of the climate change over the next 40 years.
At this stage, the real exposure tests of the anticorrosion and antifouling coatings have been already launched in Teeside (North sea) and Banyuls-sur-Mer (Mediterranean sea), Sines Portugal and Canary Island (Atlantic sea). Thus, EDF, Inegi and Enerocean are supplying the various specilised structures needed to conduct the tests: windfarms, GBS, and floating platform, respectively. Furthermore, Koskhil is focusing on repair and maintenance operations, applying anticorrosion coatings to various turbine components and monitoring their effectiveness. The project is moving forward with the aim to solve the technological, economical, business, and societal challenges Europe is facing today. Its innovative solution will establish technological base for competitive offshore wind farms constructions, exploitation, and maintenance in Europe.
