1. Development of a full-scale prototype and demonstration

of the technologies involved in ELICAN project

(concrete foundation and tower construction, towed transport, ballasting and tower lifting)

Design + Construction + Installation

• The design and construction of the full-scale prototype has advanced substantially, completing the foundation and tower, both made of concrete; the ballasting system; the lifting elements; the turbine nacelle and blades; and the monitoring system.
• The main technologies included in the project have been totally or partially demonstrated, with remarkable results.
• The prototype has floated safely, the ballasting system has been tuned to work with in a comprehensive way, the tower has been lifted several meters with ease and it has been proven that all the elements required for the production of energy can be integrated in a telescopic tower, with the special features needed at this point.

2. Demonstrate the Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

of the solution, to the point in which the solution

has reached the market availability

(from TRL5 to TRL7)

• Prototype has successfully gone through a complete set of tests and fulfilling the demonstration in a relevant environment.
• The system is undergoing a certification process, throughout numerous quality tests, that have proven the completion of many of the project’s technical objectives.
• The demonstration of each of the technologies of the concept allows Esteyco (patent holder of the technology) to offer a mature product to the offshore wind market.

3. Proved advantages

1. The prototype has not needed any special vessel, only a conventional 60 ton tug boat, to perform the harbour tests, demonstrating that great savings can be achieved.
   For the transport and installation operations, two more tugs of about 30 ton are required, but again, they are easily available in almost every port worldwide and their cost is minimum compared to the installation vessels.
2. The use of prefabricated concrete and telescopic technology reduces the costs of the materials for the construction and of the maintenance processes related to the service life of the turbine. The concrete substructure was finished several months ago, and it has not required any protection against corrosion so far, as opposed to a steel one, which would have needed painting and sacrifice anodes, which require replacement every 5 years.
3. The objective of proving local content increase is completely fulfilled so far, since many of the workers have been hired in the region and the materials have been almost completely purchased in the Canary Islands:

• • 90% of approximately 60,000 man-hours correspond to local workers.
  • All the concrete (approx. 4000 tonnes) and the reinforcing steel come from the islands.
  • The auxiliary floating system is fabricated in Gran Canaria shipyard.
  • The cranes, tugboats and riggers were completely hired in the area.