C1 Connections receives DNV A-level component certificate for the C1 Wedge Connection™.

C1 Connections receives DNV A-level component certificate for the C1 Wedge Connection™.

Bremen (DE), August 29^th 2023

C1 Connections BV has received the A-level component certificate issued by DNV at the Offshore Wind Foundations conference in Bremen. The component certificate covers the application of the C1 Wedge Connection as an interface connection between monopiles and transition pieces, between foundations and towers, and between tower segments. In 2021 C1 Connections had already reached the A-level component certificate for a tower-tower connection. This is now expanded with the latest optimized flange manufacturing process including monopile – transition piece interfaces located in the splash zone.

The C1 Wedge Connection™ is a patented novel wind turbine connection. The C1 Wedge Connection™, developed by C1 Connections BV, is a high-capacity connection that can be installed faster and safer than conventional bolted flange connections. It can be used in off- and onshore wind turbines, both in turbine towers and foundations.

The development of the C1 Wedge Connection started early 2017, and it was introduced in the first wind turbine in 2021. This wind turbine has now been operating successfully for over 1.5 years. More implementations in wind turbines are in the pipeline.

The C1 Wedge Connection™ is a new connection technology that can deliver the high capacity that is needed for the next generation wind turbines. The ultimate and fatigue loads continue to increase with wind turbines continuing to grow in size and being installed on sites in increasingly harsh environmental conditions, or on floating platforms. The C1 Wedge Connection™ will improve the LCOE by reducing CAPEX and OPEX while allowing safer installation.

With the offshore wind industry battling with grouted and bolted connections the C1 Wedge Connection offers a real alternative that can be seen as a one-on-one alternative for the traditional bolted L-flange.

“Our goal is to become the next standard in wind turbine connections. This ambitious goal means that DNV takes a very in-depth look at all the calculations. The thorough review by DNV has improved our solution. I am proud of our engineering team that has delivered this great result and look forward to implementing the C1 Wedge Connection in commercial wind farms.”

Jasper Winkes, Managing Director C1 Connections B.V.

“In the past years we have been actively involved in the certification process of the C1 Wedge Connection. We are glad to hand the certificate to C1 Connections. This allows them to bring the C1 Wedge Connection to the market and presenting an alternative to the industry on par with the bolted and grouted connections.”

Marcus Klose, Head of section Offshore Technology and Innovation at DNV

About C1 Connections B.V.

C1 Connections BV is a Dutch privately-owned company dedicated to developing and commercially exploiting the C1 Wedge Connection™. C1 Connections BV strives to deploy the C1 Wedge Connection™ as the future standard for highly loaded connections in off- and onshore wind projects.