Test@Sea

Test@Sea aims at expanding and upgrading offshore testing infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the blue energy sector

About the Project

Test@Sea is an ambitious European project, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/EFRO), aimed at expanding and upgrading offshore testing infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the blue energy sector. Building on the proven success of the Blue Accelerator platform, Test@Sea will enable companies, research institutions, and public stakeholders to develop, validate, and scale innovative solutions under realistic offshore conditions.

The project brings together key partners to create a unique, multi-purpose, multi-use, and multi-source offshore testing ecosystem that will reinforce Europe's leading position in offshore renewable energy.

Context & Challenges

Europe’s energy transition is accelerating to meet the EU’s climate neutrality targets by 2050. The North Sea plays a central role in this transition, yet it is one of the busiest maritime areas in the world. Efficient use of space is therefore critical, driving the adoption of multi-source (multiple forms of energy generation at the same site) and multi-use (energy generation combined with other maritime activities such as aquaculture) approaches.

The Blue Accelerator has already demonstrated its value as a unique open-sea testing platform. However, demand now exceeds capacity — both in volume and in the need for more advanced testing further offshore, under conditions that closely replicate large-scale wind farms and other offshore infrastructure.

Objectives

Implement pre-standardisation and pre-norming of offshore test processes, aligning with international standards.
Expand testing capacity with floating and submersible structures to simulate advanced offshore environments.
Enhance testing capabilities in three core domains:
- Energy Conversion – wind, floating solar, and hybrid systems
- Material Research – degradation, corrosion, and nature-based solutions
- Drone Applications – communication, navigation, and inspection technologies
Strengthen quadruple-helix collaboration between industry, academia, government, and the public.