METCentre
World leading test centre
The Marin Energy Test Centre - METCentre - provides the opportunity to test and validate floater technologies in full scale.
Founded in 2009, METCentre is recognised as a world-leading North Sea test center for floating offshore renewable energy and new technology. The test center offers infrastructure and services required for testing technologies both in shallow and deep waters (over 200 meters) with varying testing conditions.
Test sites
Infrastructure
Research
Hywind Demo/Zefyros2009
World's first floating offshore wind turbine is located at the METCentre test site, but is operates under its own concession. Originally installed as Hywind Demo by Equinor (previously Statoil), the 2.3 MW turbine has been in operation since 2009. This demonstration project paved the way for the world's first commercial floating wind farm, Hywind Scotland. In 2019, Unitech Offshore acquired the concession and the turbine, renaming it Unitech Zefyros. TetraSpar delivers its power to shore through Zefyros, which is connected directly to the local grid onshore.
Google Makani2019
Makani was a ground breaking kite-energy system and a leader in the development of airborne wind power extraction systems. Founded in 2006, Makani was acquired by Google in May 2013.
TetraSpar2021
The TetstraSpar Demonstrator is a 3.6 MW floating wind turbine, operational since Q4 2021. It boasts a modular design offering competitive advantages by streamlining processes and reducing costs while contributing to the development of commercial floating offshore wind projects and exporting clean energy to the Norwegian grid.
SeaTwirlTBC
SeaTwirl S2, a 1 MW full-scale demonstrator, is scheduled for testing at one of METCentre's test locations. It features a vertical-axis wind turbine design with a tower linked to a sub-sea structure comprising a floating element and keel. SeaTwirl is designed for easier construction, installation, and maintenance compared to traditional offshore wind turbines.
BluewaterTBC
Bluewater is a concept from The Netherlands - a lightweight Tension Leg Platform for on-site installation, reducing risks of pre-assembled tow-out. Its design, with legs below the wave zone, minimises wave-induced loads, delivering cost-effective floating offshore wind energy.
HexiconTBC
Hexicon's patented TwinWind™ technology uses two turbines on a single foundation. This can increase power generation efficiency per sea area and lower the cost of energy, resulting in more affordable electricity for consumers while reducing the environmental impact.
Flex2PowerTBC
The Flex2power platform combines an 11.2 MW floating foundation featuring a 5 MW Vestas wind turbine, 0.2 MW of solar panels, and a 6 MW wave energy converter. This flexible design allows for cost-effective production of wind, wave, and solar energy in marine areas.
Our history
Although floating offshore wind is a relatively new field, METCentre already has a proud history.
METCentre Team
Arvid Nesse
- Phone number
- +47 97 59 73 84
- Send emailan@norwegianoffshorewind.no
Cecilia Girard-Vika
- Phone number
- +47 922 57 066
- Send emailcgv@norwegianoffshorewind.no
Hanne Tvedt
- Phone number
- +47 452 734 76
- Send emailht@norwegianoffshorewind.no
Monica Bårdsen
- Phone number
- +47 91 37 87 70
- Send emailmb@norwegianoffshorewind.no