Viper Innovations Participates in Groundbreaking Floating Offshore Wind Sea Trials

Viper Innovations participated in a pioneering offshore wind campaign led by France Energies Marines, focused on improving the reliability of dynamic subsea power cables – key infrastructure for floating wind farms and the wider energy transition.

Held last year in the Bay of Douarnenez, France, the sea trials were part of the HT-20MW project, supported by Eolink, ADEME, Corimer, BPI France and the France 2030 investment plan. The initiative aims to advance floating wind technology through the development of a 20 MW high-voltage rotating electrical connection.

Viper was among five technology providers selected to test innovative sensing solutions in real marine conditions as part of this trial stage. As the only participant deploying an electrical reflectometry-based system, Viper played a leading role by testing its SSTDR (Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry) technology alongside the fibre optic and acoustic solutions. The SSTDR technology, usually deployed to detect electrical faults on UK railways, monitors cable deformation and stress in real marine conditions, contributing valuable data to efforts to reduce risk, improve performance, and enhance the bankability of floating wind.

Participation in this project aligns with Viper’s ongoing commitment to supporting the energy transition through innovative technologies that ensure the long-term operational performance of critical electrical infrastructure in challenging environments.