Monopile cost reduction and demonstration by joint applied research

The primary goal of the project is to reduce the total cost of a wind turbine system including the foundation with 10%, which will be a leap forward for the reduction of cost of energy from offshore wind. This is achievable, including by optimising the integration between the tower design and the foundation design, taking out costly conservatism in the designs. The overall approach in the project is to reduce cost of energy in the design, production, transport, installation and maintenance of monopile foundations for large offshore turbines. The foundation represents around 30% of the cost of an offshore wind turbine. Key research areas are advanced pile soil interaction for large diameter piles, wave load management and new appurtenances designed for mass production, optimization of tower and monopile foundation, and improved design basis of welded joints in seawater. Over 100 GW of offshore wind projects are already in various stages of planning. Each of the 25 - 35,000 wind turbines to be installed offshore in the EU and around the world, all need a foundation. This constitutes significant market potential which the Danish wind industry must do its best to reach, including be able to supply cost-effective foundations.