Seven partners have announced the launch of RHODÉ (Raccordement HVDC Offshore Distant Électrique), a collaborative research and development project focused on future floating High Voltage Direct Current electrical connections for large-scale offshore wind farms installed in deep waters far from the coast. The project aims to bridge existing research activities and the future industrial deployment of 320 kV and 525 kV floating HVDC connections expected from 2040 onwards.
RHODÉ has two main objectives: developing and validating key technological components for high-voltage floating HVDC electrical connections, and supporting the emergence of a French industrial sector specialising in high-power offshore floating electrical connections for domestic and export markets.
The project includes several work packages covering the full value chain, from use-case definition and technical specifications to offshore trials. Activities include numerical modelling and design of floating HVDC substations and components, laboratory testing, environmental impact assessments, hydrodynamic basin testing of scale models and offshore trials to validate installation, maintenance and decommissioning concepts.
The consortium brings together seven partners with complementary expertise: Chantiers de l’Atlantique, France Energies Marines, Fondation OPEN-C, GE Vernova, Nexans, RTE and SuperGrid Institute.
The RHODÉ project has been awarded EUR 16 million in funding from the French State under the France 2030 programme operated by ADEME.
