In a significant move towards advancing offshore energy technologies, Dieseko Group and CorPower Ocean have announced the launch of the VibroDrive+ project. This initiative, which has received €400,000 in funding from Eureka Eurostars, aims to enhance the design and installation efficiency of offshore anchors, crucial for the deployment of wave energy systems.

The VibroDrive+ project seeks to merge Dieseko’s expertise in vibratory technology with CorPower’s innovative anchor designs, particularly focusing on the UMACK anchor. This universal anchor system is intended for various offshore applications, including marine energy and floating wind projects. The collaboration aims to streamline the installation process while minimizing environmental impacts and reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE).

The UMACK anchor has already demonstrated its capabilities in real-world applications, having been successfully installed to support CorPower’s C4 Wave Energy Converter in Portugal since 2021. With a holding capacity exceeding 20MN and a relatively low pile mass of 35 tons, the UMACK anchor represents a significant advancement in reducing foundation costs for offshore energy projects.

Research activities for the VibroDrive+ project are set to commence on December 1st at the IWES Fraunhofer Institute in Hannover. The project team will conduct rigorous laboratory testing, including multiple rounds of UMACK anchor installations and both static and cyclic load tests. These tests aim to validate the effectiveness of vibratory techniques in enhancing the geotechnical performance and installation predictability of anchors across various seabed conditions.

The integration of vibro hammer technology is expected to play a pivotal role in minimizing noise emissions and reducing the time and costs associated with pile installations, thereby addressing environmental concerns linked to offshore construction.

Anro Olivier, Project Manager at Dieseko Group, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating that the VibroDrive+ project marks a crucial step towards the large-scale commercial deployment of wave energy conversion technology. The partnership between Dieseko and CorPower, which began in 2021, reflects a shared commitment to developing sustainable offshore solutions.

As the demand for renewable energy sources continues to grow, projects like VibroDrive+ are essential for ensuring a stable and diverse energy mix, particularly as wave energy can provide consistent power generation even when wind resources are low. The successful development and deployment of advanced anchor technologies will be critical in supporting the broader transition to zero-carbon energy solutions.