3ST – SubSea Structural Technologies develops the EcoGBF, a steel gravity‑based foundation for 15‑27 MW offshore wind turbines in water depths of 30‑70 m and challenging soils. The modular design enables serial production, reduces crane and transport requirements, and allows noise‑free, afloat installation, lowering CAPEX and environmental impact for offshore wind developers and EPC contractors.
Funding
$1.2M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Offshore wind projects face high foundation costs, logistical challenges, and environmental impacts when using traditional monopiles, jackets, or concrete gravity bases, especially in water depths of 30‑70 m and on difficult soils.
Solution
3ST has developed the EcoGBF, an economical and ecological steel gravity‑based foundation designed for large offshore wind turbines (15‑27 MW) in waters up to 70 m deep. The modular steel design enables serial production and reduces the amount of crane work required for transport and installation, allowing for more efficient afloat transport‑and‑install (T&I) operations. By eliminating pile‑driving, the EcoGBF provides a noise‑free installation process and minimizes disturbance to the marine environment, supporting ecosystem restoration. The concept is positioned as a cost‑effective alternative to monopiles, jackets, and concrete GBFs, particularly on sites with challenging geotechnical conditions.
Target Audience
Primary customers are offshore wind developers and EPC contractors seeking cost‑effective, low‑impact foundations for large turbines in medium‑depth, geotechnically challenging sites.
Features
- Steel gravity‑based foundation (EcoGBF) with a pending PCT patent, optimized for 15‑27 MW turbines.
- Viable for water depths of 30‑70 m and soils where monopiles or jackets are impractical.
- Reduced crane usage and lighter transport‑and‑install logistics, enabling afloat T&I.
- Noise‑free installation eliminates pile‑driving acoustic impact on marine life.
- Industrial‑scale serial production of repetitive components across the steel supply chain.
- Lower material mass compared with concrete GBFs, decreasing overall CAPEX.