The Hague-based Ampyx Power has appointed Bernard van Hemert as project manager responsible for the research of the offshore application of PowerPlanes, autonomous tethered aircraft that generate wind power at sea, and for the realisation of the commercial prototype AP4.
Van Hemert will lead the offshore research that will be carried out in cooperation with research institutes ECN, Marin, as well as Mocean Offshore.
The aim of the study is to determine how the PowerPlane can be optimally deployed at sea.
The Top Consortium Knowledge and Innovation Offshore Wind have supported this research with a grant of EUR 450 000. The study will run for eighteen months and will start soon, Ampyx Power said.
Van Hemert will also focus on the project management of the commercial prototype PowerPlane (AP4), the successor of the prototype (AP3), which is now being built.
After his appointment to Ampyx Power, he will continue his involvement as technical project manager for the completion phase of the 600MW Gemini offshore wind farm.
Wolbert Allaart, CEO Ampyx Power, said: “With Bernard van Hemert we have gained the expertise to achieve our offshore ambitions. Bernard was partly responsible for the construction of 150 wind turbines in the wind farm Gemini and delivered within time and budget. We look forward to working with Bernard, because of his impressive track record and his enthusiasm for our technology and our company. ”