Saitec Offshore Technologies and RWE have launched the DemoSATH Lab initiative, aimed at carrying out further environmental monitoring studies around the DemoSATH floating offshore wind turbine.
The 2 MW turbine has been operational off the Basque coast since last September and provides insights into operating floating wind turbines on the open sea.
The DemoSATH Lab research will study the platform’s interactions with the environment, focusing on the possible impact on birds, the emission of underwater noise and interactions of marine life with the structure.
The program is expected to last until at least the end of next year.
“As a leading global offshore wind player, we are also pioneering in floating offshore wind,” says RWE’s Martin Dörnhöfer.
“Through the DemoSATH project, we are gaining first-hand experience in the deployment and operations of floating offshore wind technology on the open sea. The DemoSATH Lab research will help us to increase our understanding of key biodiversity aspects of floating offshore wind turbines, such as underwater noise and bird interactions during operation. This will help us to ensure our future development of floating offshore wind is undertaken in coexistence with nature.”
Project partners include Kansai Electric Power, due to its experience in the energy market.
