Geodis Executes Transport and Installation of Marine Energy Prototype in Italy

Geodis contributed to the deployment of an innovative marine energy storage prototype, the size of an Olympic swimming pool, in Italy, off the coast of Calabria. By engineering its launch, transport, and installation, the Group leverages its expertise to support a technology designed to facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid, thus confirming its position in next-generation marine projects.

The company carried out the engineering for the launching, towing, and installation operations of a marine energy storage tank for Sizable Energy. The prototype is installed at the Natural Ocean Engineering Laboratory (NOEL), one of Italy's leading marine test centers for innovative marine energy technologies, located in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Calabria, Italy.

This system is designed to store electricity produced by offshore wind turbines or other renewable energy sources and then return it to the grid when demand increases. By separating production and consumption periods, this technology helps strengthen the stability of the electricity grid, while offering an alternative to conventional battery energy storage systems (BESS).

For this project, Geodis provided support to Sizable Energy by contributing its engineering expertise to develop and optimize the client's proposed solution for the launch, towing, and installation of the prototype. The team performed calculations and lifting plans, defined crane positioning, designed lifting plans, slings, and rigging, developed installation procedures, and engineered the towing and mooring operations. They also provided technical assistance and on-site supervision throughout the operation to ensure safe and correct execution.

The underwater tank measures 50 meters in diameter, equivalent to the surface area of an Olympic swimming pool, and weighs approximately 11 tons. For its commissioning, it was necessary to use a 350-ton crane with a reach of nearly 50 meters, thus complying with site limitations and environmental requirements. This operation demonstrates Geodis' expertise in precision lifting engineering and complex marine activities.

"This project demonstrates our ability to support innovative technologies that go far beyond transport. Thanks to our offshore engineering expertise, we help our clients transform complex concepts into safe and reliable operational solutions. This first achievement opens new development opportunities for Geodis in the field of offshore energy storage, both in Italy and internationally," stated Nicolas Bonnier, Global Director of Offshore Wind Energy Solutions and Project Logistics at Geodis.

This first reference in the field of marine energy storage demonstrates Geodis' ability to apply its engineering expertise to next-generation energy technologies and paves the way for future projects in this rapidly evolving sector.