Investors
Partnerships, licensing and industrial development
A shared support structure designed to rationalise the installation and operation of tidal-stream and offshore wind farms
HydreManche® SAS is developing a patented modular foundation structure designed to support several energy-production modules on a single shared base.
The objective is not to introduce yet another turbine, but to propose a different approach to offshore infrastructure: installation, stability, maintenance, connection, operation and decommissioning.
The HydreManche® foundation structure is intended to reduce certain heavy offshore operations, limit repeated interventions on isolated machines and improve the industrial management of marine renewable energy farms.
What type of partners is HydreManche® looking for?
HydreManche® SAS is looking for partners able to contribute to the technical, industrial and commercial development of the concept.
Relevant partners may include:
- industrial companies active in energy, maritime operations, offshore engineering, concrete, steel structures or civil engineering;
- tidal-stream and offshore wind developers or operators;
- investors specialising in infrastructure, energy or industrial innovation;
- engineering consultancies, test centres, research organisations or support structures able to contribute to feasibility studies, modelling, prototyping and technical qualification.
Two partnership routes may be considered
Option 1
Formation of an industrial consortium
One possible route would be to form a consortium bringing together several complementary partners.
This consortium could be structured as a French economic interest grouping — groupement d’intérêt économique / GIE — a dedicated commercial company or any other suitable legal structure.
Its purpose would be to bring together the skills and resources required to:
Option 2
Granting of exclusive or territory-based licences
A second route would be to grant one or more exploitation licences to industrial or commercial partners.
These licences could be defined:
- finance and carry out feasibility studies;
- develop CAD, 3D, hydrodynamic, structural, environmental and economic modelling;
- assess and quantify the technical, energy-related, environmental and economic benefits of the HydreManche® foundation structure;
- design and build a demonstrator or prototype;
- prepare the industrialisation, certification, commercialisation and deployment of the HydreManche® foundation structure in France and internationally.
- by field of application: tidal-stream energy, fixed-bottom wind, floating wind or other offshore uses;
- by territory: France, the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, Europe or other international markets;
- by level of exclusivity: exclusive licence, market-limited licence or territory-limited licence.
Under this arrangement, the consortium could be granted exclusive exploitation rights to the patents, subject to contractual terms to be defined.
Under this option, the licensee or licensees would be authorised to develop, adapt, industrialise, market or operate the HydreManche® foundation structure, under contractual agreements defining the relevant rights, obligations, possible royalties, technical responsibilities and conditions of use of the patents.
Value for investors, operators and insurers
In its offshore configurations, the HydreManche® foundation structure offers an approach aimed at rationalising the management of renewable energy farms.
This approach may help reduce:
- certain heavy offshore installation operations;
- recurring offshore interventions;
- certain operational risks;
- some maintenance and decommissioning constraints;
- uncertainties associated with operating isolated machines.
If its advantages are confirmed through the necessary studies, tests and demonstrators, the HydreManche® foundation structure could contribute to the emergence of more consistent operating practices, clearer technical reference frameworks and a more structured dialogue between operators, investors, insurers, engineering consultancies and competent authorities.
It could also be taken into account in risk assessments, insurance requirements or good-practice frameworks applicable to tidal-stream and offshore wind farms.
An open approach
HydreManche® SAS is open to discussions with industrial, financial, institutional and technical stakeholders interested in assessing the potential of the HydreManche® foundation structure.
Discussions may cover:
- technical assessment of the concept;
- feasibility studies;
- formation of a consortium;
- licensing arrangements;
- funding opportunities;
- preparation of a demonstrator;
- development prospects in France, the English Channel, around the Channel Islands, in the United Kingdom and internationally.