The logistics service provider Geodis is a member of the European consortium I3FLOAT, which aims to expand the value chain for floating offshore wind energy. According to the company, the initiative was officially launched in October in Brussels and will run for a period of 36 months.
European consortium with 24 partners
The project is co-financed by the European Union under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) – Strand 1 program and administered by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency. In total, 24 partners from eight European regions are involved. The aim is to strengthen and expand the value chain for floating offshore wind energy.
I3FLOAT is organized into
four regional innovation centers. These are located in the Basque Country and Andalusia in Spain, in the Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions in France, and in Flanders in Belgium. Each of these centers focuses on further developing specific technical aspects within the supply chain for floating wind turbines.
Geodis’ contribution to the French innovation hub
Geodis is part of the French innovation hub, led by the engineering company Eolink, which specializes in floating wind turbines. Eolink is developing a pyramidal platform for floating wind turbines. According to the company, this design enables the use of less material, thereby reducing weight and facilitating the deployment of high-performance wind turbines. The technology
is intended for worldwide use, starting along the French Atlantic coast.
As part of the project, Geodis will plan and optimize the transport and logistics processes for the platforms developed by Eolink. The company brings its expertise in heavy-lift logistics and technical project support to bear.
"This involvement in the I3FLOAT project builds on Geodis' expertise together with key players in the offshore wind industry. Our know-how was recently demonstrated by the transport and deployment of three floating wind foundations, conducted in the Mediterranean in collaboration with Eiffage Metal for the EFGL project. We are now looking forward to continuing our close partnership with the Eolink team in the coming
years," said Nicolas Bonnier, Global Manager Offshore Wind Solution, Project Logistics at Geodis.
Logistical experience from previous offshore projects
According to its own statements, Geodis' participation in the I3FLOAT project continues previous activities in offshore wind logistics. Previously, the company was involved in the transport and installation of three floating foundations in the Mediterranean. This project was realized in collaboration with Eiffage Metal for the EFGL undertaking.
With I3FLOAT, the collaboration between industry and research in European offshore wind energy is to be further expanded. The participating partners aim to create the logistical, technical and economic prerequisites to develop, transport and install floating wind turbines more efficiently in the future.
