The aim is to develop and install a pre-commercial wave energy converter (WEC) of 1MW power, the WAVESTAR C6-1000 device, with main targets the device industrialization and the demonstration of wind and wave energy applications. The utility company Parkwind, which develops, builds and operates wind farms in the North Sea, is committed to the achievement of WAVESTAR’s next development stage. Parkwind provides the installation site with grid connection for the first full-scale WAVESTAR WEC, located within a Belgian offshore wind farm. The UPWAVE project consortium has been developed through the establishment of strong synergies and partnerships, by bringing together key European industrial players and European universities represented by wave energy experts whose overall objectives focus on: 1) Reduction of the device’s cost by introducing new design, components and materials. Cost optimization is achieved through new methods on deployment, installation, operation and maintenance. 2) Improvement of the energy efficiency by developing a more advanced Power Take Off based on a second generation digital hydraulic system and innovative control strategy. 3) Integration of wave energy converters in wind farms by considering the interaction between wave and wind devices in terms of operation, cost reduction and maximization of environmental benefits. Public research programs, industrial cooperation and technology transfer from the offshore industry (offshore wind, oil and gas) ensure the development of manufacturing processes, automation and optimisation of the WAVESTAR C6-1000 WEC. New certificates and standards will be made available for the wave energy industry. After the completion of the UPWAVE project, the cost of wave energy will be significantly reduced to a level in line with the cost of offshore wind energy (around 15 c€/kWh). The WAVESTAR C6-1000 demonstrator device will lead to a commercial WEC and a hybrid renewable energy device (wind and wave).

The use of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) from waterborne must be minimised as fast as possible to reach a climate-neutral society by 2050. A vital prerequisite of the decarbonisation is the rapid growth of low-carbon power sources and energy storage. To achieve this, the efficient integration in the shipboard power system requires the development of high-power components and protections, and more specifically DC-DC power converters and DC switchgear. Albeit DC primary grids have been deployed for several vessels, the secondary grid has remained substantially identical to traditional solution based on AC. There is an opportunity to unlock the capabilities and functionalities of novel components for secondary grids that can improve the safety and the operations on the vessel. These components, integrated with the power converters and the protections of the primary grids, will reduce the risks of blackouts connected to faults and improve the reliability of the power supply. ALL-DC-SHIPS has devised a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges faced by shipowners, systems integrators and ship operators that includes: 1) development of new modular power converters with wide bandgap devices for primary DC grids 2) high-density power converters for secondary DC grids 3) innovative DC protection systems for primary and secondary DC grids 4) implementation of advanced algorithms for real-time ship energy management 5) rigorous testing and validation methodologies for the vessel demonstrator 6) providing recommendations for relevant use cases above 5,000 GT. ALL-DC-SHIPS will contribute to enable low-emission waterborne transport and technology transition for a resilient and sustainable future of the maritime sector.

DuneFront will demonstrate blue-grey coastal and marine infrastructure as a new generation of sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetic solution to ensure coastal safety under climate change. The project has the ambition to co-create hybrid Dune-Dike Nature Based Solutions (DD-hybrid NbS) that can efficiently integrate static hard infrastructure with adaptive, dynamic aeolian and vegetated sediments. Mainstreaming biodiversity into marine and coastal DD-hybrid NbS is essential to jointly safeguard human assets, blue economy activities and biodiversity gain and restoration. DuneFront will achieve this challenge by identifying key biological, physical, and socio-economic boundary conditions, and by translating evidence on biodiversity, morphodynamics and safety from 12 Demonstrators along vulnerable European coasts into new roadmaps for DD-hybrid NbS design and installation. The integration of this multidisciplinary knowledge into physical and digital twins will pilot the development of a Decision-Support-System, coastal and marine infrastructure Blueprints, and the installation of new prototypes along one of the most recreated coasts. DuneFront will provide a wide range of stakeholders with design, installation and market-ripe business plans for DD-hybrid NbS. Translation of new research and innovations into the DuneFront targeted actions will occur within a full co-creation-procedure.

The BLUE CONNECT project addresses the urgent need to protect and restore marine habitats and ecosystems and to reach ambitious EU and global protection and restoration targets by 2030. Together with Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers, authorities, industries, and local communities from 12 Demonstration sites and beyond, BLUE CONNECT is co-developing, promoting, and demonstrating a systematic approach to marine conservation planning and management. This collaborative effort will result in the creation of a powerful Blueprint, directly supporting 1) setting science-based conservation objectives, 2) co-defining conservation actions for effective MPA co-management, 3) ensuring conservation effectiveness and 4) demonstrating the high potential of these tools for replicability and broader use. This will be made possible by establishing a holistic modelling framework that integrates various elements of biodiversity, ecological functioning, ecosystem services, and connectivity, while also considering inputs from stakeholders and local communities regarding social, economic, and cultural aspects when defining MPAs and ecological corridors. The project will contribute to a more comprehensive, science-based and inclusive approach to designating new MPAs or expanding existing ones, transitioning to strict protection, restoring ecosystems, enhancing ecological connectivity, and facilitating MPA co-management. By fostering just and fair stakeholder cooperation and citizen science initiatives, BLUE CONNECT will build a greater feeling of co-ownership of protected and restored marine ecosystems and MPA networks and empower communities to play a crucial role in safeguarding our seas.

The ReaLCoE consortium is happy to submit a well-prepared proposal, founded on a highly experienced and tight-knit group in discussion since early 2017. ReaLCoE aims to accelerate a new generation of competitive and subsidy free clean energy from offshore wind energy converters (WEC) with a high performance 12+MW demonstration turbine. Our WEC technology platform developments are designed to be competitive and scalable, consolidating scientific knowledge and operational experience for a swift evolution towards 14-16 MW rated capacities. Today, only less than 30% of the cost for electricity from large offshore wind energy converters incur from the turbine itself. ReaLCoE will work to optimise innovation across the whole value chain; from initial turbine design to equipment handling in the port, to testing, financing installation and the final customer to substantially reduce the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCoE) of offshore wind. The consortium is led by a pioneer in the sector, Senvion, who has brought together some of Europe’s most experienced and talented actors in both on- and offshore wind energy to demonstrate a 12+MW WEC. After a period of strong market consolidation, Senvion and its partners aim to jointly enter a competitive market of offshore wind energy in the 12+MW turbine class. We are confident that ReaLCoE will have a global impact on offshore wind energy market, reinforcing Europe’s technological leadership and bringing growth and job opportunities to the industrial base. Not only in the wind energy sector through the manufacturing, installation and operation of 12+MW WEC in a competitive environment; but also through the provision of cheap, clean energy across an integrated system of renewables. This paves the way for a turbine generation with rated capacities of 14-16MW and triggers hundreds of millions in investment into the European clean tech sector.