Seaturns demonstrator ready for its first trials

A successful initial demonstration phase at the Port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire

The first phase of full-scale testing has been launched at the Port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire, and it has been successfully completed. Seaturns validated its first operations and maintenance tests there : launching and floatability testing of the buoy, onboard access and safety tests, and the disassembly and reassembly of the electrical conversion module.

Operations on the electrical conversion module were carried out in record time : approximately two hours of work, using light equipment and a small team. These tests demonstrated the feasibility of offshore operations, the relevance of the resources mobilized, and the control of intervention duration.

This first phase also provided valuable feedback that will help optimize the design and offshore operation of the solution, in preparation for the industrialization and commercialization phase scheduled for the end of 2026.

The initial tests confirmed the system’s ability to significantly reduce maintenance-related OPEX, as operations can now be performed directly at sea.

This marks a major success for Seaturns and a significant step forward for the wave energy sector, which still needs to demonstrate its competitiveness in terms of production costs.

Arthur Chauliac – Test Manager at Seaturns said: “This is a key stage in the development of our technology. We validated the safety of operations and began demonstrating the effectiveness of maintenance activities, confirming the feasibility of offshore interventions. This success paves the way for a more cost-effective and robust deployment of our solution.”

Next step: heading for phase 2 in the first quarter of 2026

Alongside these first tests, Seaturns is now preparing for phase 2 of the trials, which will take place at sea starting in the first quarter of 2026.

This next phase will aim to :

– Test and certify the demonstrator’s performance over a period of at least one year;

– Validate the robustness of the system under real marine conditions;

-Assess the environmental impacts of the technology.

Designed around a step-by-step approach, this testing campaign follows a rigorous and structured methodology. Each phase is intended to test the technology under different conditions, enabling steady, controlled progress.

These successive sea trials mark another significant step toward the industrial and commercial validation of the wave energy electricity production solution.

Partners and supporters

This phase of sea trials is part of the IAS-WEC project, winner of the i-Nov innovation competition managed by Bpifrance and ADEME. It is co-funded by the French government under the #France2030 program, as well as by the European Union – Next Generation EU as part of the France Relance plan. Seaturns also wishes to thank MECASOUD, responsible for manufacturing the demonstrator, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port for conducting the tests, and the Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, a key player in supporting the project.

In summary

The completion of manufacturing and the launch of testing mark a decisive step for Seaturns. With this demonstrator, the company takes a major leap forward toward real-world validation of its marine energy technology, contributing to the energy transition and the development of an innovative industry in France and Europe.