Ground Rigid Install Pile Anchor – GRIP Anchor

Project Description

Ireland is making significant strides in harnessing its offshore wind energy potential, with ambitious targets set to support sustainability goals. The Climate Action Plan 2023 and long-term objectives highlight Ireland commitment to offshore wind development. The GRIP Anchor aims to achieve a cost-effective solution to the rocky to hard seabed associated with the Irish coastline of Celtic Sea and Atlantic Ocean which makes development of these opportunities not attractive. The Grip anchor addresses this shortcoming, making these sites financially viable. The present project aims to develop a scale modelling tool to allow physical testing of the proposed design in any ground conditions, allowing adoption of the design in forthcoming projects as well as development of new testing method for adoption by standard bodies. In addition, the project will investigate the mooring connection to GRIP anchor to optimise the connection methods and preloading requirement of various mooring configuration and its effect both on the mooring system and GRIP anchor for floaters and mooring system intended for to Irish environment. Building on previous research, the project will look at supply chain in Ireland and provide a roadmap for establishing an indigenous anchor industry, contributing to job creation and economic development through local production of anchor system post-2030.