Demonstration of a VERTIcal-axis floating wind turbine for offshore energy Generation with improved performance and accessibility for Operation & maintenance

Objective

In the face of increasing global competition and Europe's urgent need for energy independence, renewable energy is becoming the driving force of the future. Offshore wind energy is poised to lead this transition, particularly in deep waters where consistent winds and abundant space offer unparalleled potential. However, current floating wind solutions simply adapt horizontal-axis wind turbines from onshore and fixed-bottom offshore designs, a method that fails to fully optimize efficiency for floating environments The VERTI-GO project introduces an innovative floating vertical-axis wind turbine, specifically designed for offshore conditions from its inception. This technology offers key advantages over the current state-of-the-art floating wind solutions: - Simplified maintenance – The turbine eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming transport to shore for major repairs, reducing downtime. - Integrated design – By merging the tower and floater into a single structure, manufacturing and assembly processes are streamlined. - Lower CAPEX – The turbine’s lower center of gravity enables the use of a smaller spar floater, reducing material requirements and overall costs. Having already reached TRL5 with a 30kW demonstrator, the VERTI-GO project aims to scale up the technology to a 2MW floating wind demonstrator, operating in real conditions for 15 months. To achieve this, the project brings together key actors from across the offshore wind value chain, collaborating in three structured phases: planning and design, procurement, and operation. Given that the projected €15M funding is not sufficient for full deployment, the project will develop a comprehensive external funding strategy, integrating both public and private investment sources. End-user partners and additional contributors will be engaged to explore viable financing solutions. A go/no-go decision will be taken based on the outcomes of the external funding plan, planning phase, and feasibility