The LIGHTWIND Project
An innovative initiative aimed at elevating the wind energy sector.
Offshore wind turbines are critical to global renewable energy goals, but their scalability is limited by weight and maintenance costs. LIGHTWIND is developing lightweight drive-train solution to overcome these barriers, increasing the air-gap stability and reducing the usage of scarce raw materials. This innovation will make offshore wind energy more reliable and cost-effective, contributing significantly to the climate neutrality goal set by the EU.
The challenge
As the demand for clean energy grows, so does the need for larger offshore wind turbines that can operate in deeper waters. However:
Increasing
turbine size
Larger turbines lead to heavier nacelles, making floating platforms technically challenging and economically unviable.
High
maintenance costs
Current designs require expensive repairs, particularly for sites far offshore, limiting their feasibility.
Supply chain
bottlenecks
A small number of manufacturers dominate the market, restricting innovation and scalability.
Our solution
The LIGHTWIND project introduces a revolutionary drive-train design that:
Reduces weight
Our compact, modular design significantly cuts nacelle and rotor weight, lowering bill of material costs not only for the nacelle and rotor, but also for supporting the structures.
Enables scalability
Designed to support turbines with power ratings up to 30 MW, LIGHTWIND will make larger offshore turbines a reality.
Minimizes costs
By simplifying maintenance and reducing the reliance on rare earths, the project dramatically lowers O&M costs while reducing lifecycle impacts.
Enhances sustainability
Reduced material use and weight translate to a smaller environmental footprint, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Join the Future
LIGHTWIND is a step forward in unlocking the vast potential of offshore wind energy, enabling turbines to operate in deeper waters while maintaining efficiency and reducing costs. Together, we can power a cleaner, greener world.
Latest
News
A space dedicated to sharing recent project updates, such as milestones achieved, technological advances and key collaborations.