Germany-based engineering company GICON has received a U.S. patent for its SOF floating offshore wind turbine foundation. The company's patent lasts until July 2017, with an extended protection running until January 2029.
According to GICON, the SOF can be deployed in both shallow water (from 65 ft. onwards) and deep water (up to 1,640 ft.). The company has conducted small-scale tests, and deployment of a full-scale model is planned for 2014/2015.
"The USA will be one of the leading markets for offshore wind development in the future. Therefore, it is an important step for GICON to achieve patent protection for our SOF in the U.S. market," says GICON CEO Jochen Grossmann.
