GICON is currently developing a load-bearing floating structure for offshore wind turbines, the GICON® SOF (Schwimmendes Offshore Fundament = German for ‘Floating Offshore Foundation’).
A key development milestone was passed in February 2012 when wave and tow tests of a 1:25 scale model were conducted at the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA), confirming functionality, usability and load capacity during operation as well as transport.
In June 2013 final wind and wave tank tests were conducted at the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) to confirm the final design prior to construction of a full scale prototype which is planned for deployment in the German Baltic Sea during 2014.
The following video shows combined wind and wave tests at MARIN in June 2013:
_____________________________________________________
Press release, December 24, 2013; Image: GICON