- Pioneering floating wind developer X1 Wind signs MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with leading mooring line manufacturer FibreMax – developer of the world’s strongest cables
- Collaboration to boost performance, innovation and sustainability of floating offshore wind solutions, with focus on TLP (Tension Leg Platform) tendons
- Introduction of state-of-the-art, mass-produced mooring components adds resource to accelerate commercialisation
September 17, 2024 – Pioneering floating offshore wind firm X1 Wind has signed an MoU with market leading mooring line manufacturer – and developer of the world’s strongest cables – FibreMax to boost performance, innovation and sustainability in the floating wind energy sector.
X1 Wind’s disruptive floating wind solution benefits from passive weathervaning and self-orientation capabilities, achieved through the integration of a Single Point Mooring (SPM) system with a small tension leg platform (TLP) mooring system.
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 (Tension Leg Platform) to export electricity.
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 further enhance the floating wind platform’s green credentials.
Established in 2009, FibreMax is a trailblazing force in the cable industry, and the exclusive creator of the ‘endlessly wound’ cable, boasting unparalleled strength and durability. The firm’s cutting-edge robots expertly wind synthetic fibres around the integrated end-terminations, delivering a cable that is 85% lighter than steel, rust-resistant, maintenance-free, and built to last more than 30 years.
X1 Wind CEO Alex Raventos said the MoU represents a significant step forward in the development of advanced, sustainable solutions for the floating offshore wind industry.
“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. 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.”
FibreMax Director Renewable Energy Sander van Helvoort said the MoU with X1 Wind is an important milestone and FibreMax is very proud to support X1 Wind on their road to commercialising.
“FibreMax is thrilled about this partnership, as we have built a strong relationship with X1 Wind over the past few years. We are now taking the next step to collaborate even more closely. Both companies are fully committed to advancing innovation, circularity, industrialization, and global supply chain development, with a shared vision that aligns perfectly for FibreMax and X1 Wind.”
For further information about X1 Wind visit www.x1wind.com
About X1 Wind
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, installation and testing of a full-featured part-scale demonstrator in the Canary Islands. It has recently been selected by the European Commission to deliver the NextFloat and NextFloat+ projects, an ambitious program accelerating industrial-scale floating wind, together with Technip Energies and other industry leading partners. The company has steadily been building a world-class team of experts in the offshore wind industry and related sectors.
CONTACTS
Mauro Bianco Scagliarini
PR & Marketing Associate at X1 Wind
+34 610192878
For further information about FibreMax visit www.FibreMax.nl
About FibreMax
Since 2004, FibreMax has been the producer of the world’s strongest synthetic cables. With its unique and patented production process, the so-called endless winding technology (“Endless Winding Technology”), it produces lightweight pendants and tendons with the highest efficiency currently possible. The cables are custom-made for every customer/ application. Part of the FibreMax product portfolio are parallel wound tendons (“Parallel Wound Tendons”). Key features of FibreMax’ s synthetic cables include production with any fibre type. The company’s cables can be tailored based on strength (MBL) or stiffness (EA-S & EA-D). FibreMax services the worldwide market with its product portfolio.
CONTACTS
Stefan Brattinga
Marketing Associate at FibreMax
