Categories: Business, Environment and Renewables, Falmouth Docks, Falmouth HarbourPublished On: 06.10.2025671 words3.5 min read

Marine renewables testing on a roll off Falmouth

As one green energy Demonstrator finishes its summer monitoring at Falmouth Harbour’s test site for offshore renewables another model – a pioneering, dynamic cable protection system – has also been deployed at FaBTest.

The latest arrival on the FaBTest site, “CableSpring” is a new integrated buoyancy and cable protection system designed for submarine dynamic power cables that connect floating offshore wind turbines to the grid. Designed by SeaThor Ltd to enhance the durability of cables in challenging shallow waters and energetic wave conditions, CableSpring widens the design envelope for offshore engineers.

FaBTest itself is a 1.5km area of seabed 4.5km off land in Falmouth Bay which has been leased by the Harbour from the Crown Estate to allow real-world testing of devices related to renewable energy and associated equipment.

Andy Simmonds from SeaThor says:

“Following extensive design and laboratory testing, it has been great to see CableSpring at FaBTest – which provides the ideal location for real-world sea trials. Excellent port facilities and local expertise provide the best support for research and testing.”

This crucial phase of research and development is being supported by the University of Exeter, whose team is providing advanced hydrodynamic modelling to simulate how the system behaves in ocean conditions and have managed the marine licensing procedure.

Prof. Philipp Thies from the University of Exeter says:

“It is fantastic to work with innovative engineering companies. In this project, our work has really helped to refine predictive models to assess CableSpring’s performance in future commercial deployments and improve research methods for this crucial engineering challenge.”

“Shark Bay for Falmouth Harbour”

 

BPT’s Demonstrator has been monitored at the FaBTest site over the summer (aerial – Shark Bay for Falmouth Harbour) and tests on SeaThor’s patented CableSpring have been carried out (photo – SeaThor)

www.falmouthharbour.co.uk

SeaThor/University of Exeter – CableSpring: CableSpring, is a new cable protection system engineered specifically for submarine dynamic power cables that are, for example, needed for floating offshore wind. Designed to enhance durability and performance in challenging shallow water and energetic waves, CableSpring widens the design envelope for offshore engineers, planning future offshore energy infrastructure.
·        Following extensive design and laboratory testing, CableSpring is now undergoing real-world sea trials. This crucial phase of research and development is being supported by the University of Exeter, whose team is providing advanced hydrodynamic modelling to simulate how the system behaves in ocean conditions and have managed the marine licensing procedure. Their expertise is also helping refine predictive models to assess CableSpring’s performance in future commercial deployments.
·        Celtic Sea Power – Celtic Sea Power’s (CSP) mission is to maximise the social and economic benefits of Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) and other low carbon energy opportunities for Cornwall and the Celtic Sea region.  CSP has a team of fifteen based in Hayle, Cornwall and Pembroke Dock, Wales. CSP is an autonomous subsidiary of Cornwall Council.
·        Falmouth Harbour (FH) is a statutory port authority with responsibility for the Inner Harbour at Falmouth (excluding Falmouth Docks), the Penryn River up as far as Coastlines Wharf, the southern part of the Carrick Roads and a large part of Falmouth Bay.
  • FH has a management / operational team and a Board of Trustees set up to administer the harbour in the best interests of its stakeholders
  • FH operates to the standards in the Modernising Trust Ports written by the Ports Division for the Department for Transport as part of the process of Modernising of Trust Ports and last updated in 2018
  • FH provide pilotage services for the anchorages in Falmouth Bay and Carrick Roads, Falmouth Docks, Truro, Penryn and St Mawes as well as the Helford river, the Quarries on the East side of the Lizard Peninsula and the Falmouth, Gerrans and Veryan Bays
·         Depending on length, destination and cargo, a Falmouth Pilot (a member of the Falmouth Pilots LLP) is required to assist ships entering FH’s waters
Contacts:-
Falmouth Harbour – Falmouth Harbour Environment Manager Vicki Spooner – vickispooner@falmouthharbour.co.uk   / 01326 213537
Marine renewables testing on a roll off Falmouth