Entrion Wind has been granted a US patent for its Fully Restrained Platform (FRP) monopile, marking a significant milestone for the company. Officially awarded by the US Patent and Trademark Office on October 29, this is the first of six patents filed by Entrion Wind to be granted.
The FRP monopile design extends the capabilities of traditional monopile foundations, enabling use in water depths of up to 100 meters. This innovative design also offers improved economics compared to existing foundation systems, combining proven technologies with the company's proprietary Top Mooring Assembly (TMA). The TMA enhances the monopile's stability by increasing stiffness without negatively affecting installation or operational efficiency.
Li Lee, Vice President and Co-founder of Entrion Wind, highlighted the importance of the patent: “This patent is a major achievement for Entrion Wind. Our FRP monopile is designed to deliver exceptional performance in water depths that were previously inaccessible to monopile technology. This innovation will help drive down costs and enable the growth of offshore wind energy in deeper waters.”
Entrion Wind is currently conducting comprehensive feasibility studies and demonstration projects to further test the viability of the FRP monopile. These initiatives will allow companies to evaluate the potential impacts on Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), as well as CapEx, OpEx, and project risks. Demonstration partners will have the opportunity to trial the FRP monopile technology in the field, either as a full deployment or retrofitted design.
The commercial rollout of the FRP monopile is scheduled for 2027, with the technology expected to play a key role in expanding offshore wind capabilities in deeper waters.
