FuE-Zentrum FH Kiel Remains FINO1 Operator

Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Fachhochschule Kiel GmbH (R&D centre of Kiel University of Applied Sciences) has won a contract to continue operating the FINO1 research platform in the German North Sea.

The contract was awarded to FuE-Zentrum FH Kiel by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).

BMWi is extending the operational life of FINO1 platform until 31 July 2023, with an optional one-year extension.

The platform was brought into service in the summer of 2003. FuE-Zentrum FH Kiel has been operating FINO1 platform since January 2012. This contract ends on 31 May 2020.

Located about 45 kilometres north of Borkum in a water depth of about 30 metres, FINO 1 is in the immediate vicinity of the operating wind farms Alpha Ventus, Borkum Riffgrund I, Trianel Windpark Borkum, Borkum Riffgrund II, and Merkur. Other wind farms in the immediate vicinity are under construction, approved or in preparation.

The platform is used to carry out physical, hydrological, chemical, and biological research projects. The data and results obtained provide insights for the licensing authorities as well as for operators of offshore wind turbines and offshore wind farms.

FuE-Zentrum FH Kiel also operates the FINO3 research platform. This contract will run until 30 June 2022.