FEBUS Optics, EDF, École Centrale de Nantes and the OPEN-C Foundation announce the official launch of VigieCâble. This ambitious project aims to improve the reliability of the marine renewable energy (MRE) production chain by developing an industrializable solution for monitoring and analyzing the health of dynamic submarine cables using fiber optic technology.
Selected following the call for projects DEMO-TASE, The VigieCâble project is financed by the French government as part of the France 2030 operated by ADEME. It is supported by more than 2.4 million euros to accelerate the transition of a breakthrough solution from the laboratory prototype stage (TRL 4) to pre-industrial maturity.
commercial (TRL 8).
A response to a strategic challenge for marine energies
With the increasing deployment of floating offshore infrastructures - wind farms, tidal turbines or interconnection networks - the reliability of submarine cables is a major economic and operational challenge, particularly where dynamic cables are concerned. Dynamic cables are subject to float movements, as well as wave and current forces. They are therefore critical components whose failure can have a major impact on operations. In response to this problem, VigieCâble offers an innovative approach based on distributed fiber optic measurement. The solution will automatically detect and provide early warning of failure signals on dynamic submarine cables.
Complementary collaboration for innovation
The project brings together four partners with complementary expertise:
- FEBUS Optics The world leader in Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS) technology, the company brings its cutting-edge measurement equipment and expertise in data acquisition and interpretation to the table.
- EDF As an operator with a thorough understanding of the requirements of predictive maintenance for energy infrastructures, the Group guarantees that the solution it has developed is in line with operational needs in the field and concrete use cases.
- École Centrale de Nantes Recognized for its academic and technical excellence, the school is mobilizing three laboratories in this project - LHEEA, GeM and LS2N. It is contributing to the project through its expertise in the mechanical modeling of dynamic cables, the performance of physical tests in ocean engineering basins with wave excitation, and the development of data analysis methods for anomaly detection and characterization.
- OPEN-C Foundation As operator of France's 5 offshore test sites for floating wind turbines and renewable marine energies, we offer infrastructure and services for testing tomorrow's solutions at sea, to reduce costs and risks, and accelerate innovation at sea.
An ambitious 4-year roadmap
Begun in early 2026 for a 48 months, VigieCâble is structured around three key phases:
1. State of the art and preliminary tests
Tests on cable samples in the laboratory and first measurement campaigns at sea.
2. Test bench simulations
In-depth studies on test benches, analysis and optimization of fiber signal interpretation for a better understanding of cable mechanical behavior.
3. Full-scale tests in real environments
Deployment in real-life conditions, with on-site sea trial measurements, validation of the solution's performance and reliability in an operational environment, and its industrial viability.
Bringing a breakthrough, sovereign solution to market
At the end of the project, VigieCâble aims to provide a robust, industrializable solution tailored to the needs of marine and offshore industry. By combining their expertise, the consortium aims to reduce maintenance costs (OPEX) and maximize the lifespan of offshore energy transmission infrastructures.
About our partners
FEBUS Optics
FEBUS Optics is the world leader in the development of infrastructure monitoring solutions based on distributed fiber optic measurement technologies (DAS, DTS, DSS).
The French company offers state-of-the-art equipment and turnkey solutions for long-distance temperature, acoustic and strain measurements. Based on its patented technologies, the company addresses diverse applications such as cable and pipeline monitoring, well monitoring, seismic acquisition, natural hazard monitoring, intrusion detection and structural health monitoring (SHM).
https://www.febus-optics.com/
Press contact: Cathy LAPEYRE - cathy.lapeyre@febus-optics.com - +33 6 71 24 44 37
EDF
A major player in the energy transition, the EDF Group is an integrated energy company, present in all business lines: generation, distribution, trading, energy sales and energy services. The world leader in low-carbon energies, with decarbonized generation of 515 TWh at 95 % and a carbon intensity of 26.5gCO2/kWh in 2025, the Group has developed a diversified generation mix based mainly on nuclear and renewable energy (including hydro) and is investing in new technologies to support the energy transition. EDF's raison d'être is to build a CO2-neutral energy future that reconciles preservation of the planet, well-being and development, thanks to electricity and innovative solutions and services. The Group supplies energy and services to around 41 million customers (1) and generated sales of €113.3 billion in 2025.
(1) The customer portfolio comprises electricity, gas and recurring services contracts.
https://www.edf.fr/
École Centrale Nantes
Founded in 1919, Centrale Nantes is one of France's top engineering schools (L'Etudiant) and one of the world's top 400 (Times Higher Education). It graduates engineers, bachelors, masters and doctoral students, following academic paths based on scientific and technological developments of the highest level. Recognized for its academic excellence and commitment to the energy transition, Centrale Nantes maintains close ties with industry and enjoys a strong international outlook, with numerous partnerships around the world. With research platforms ranging from digital simulation to full-scale prototype experimentation, and an incubator with 20 years' experience, the school has major tools at its disposal for innovation and collaboration with the business world. Through its research chairs and joint laboratories, Centrale Nantes actively contributes to the reindustrialization effort and to strengthening the region's competitiveness.
www.ec-nantes.fr
Press contact: Valérie CHILARD - valerie.chilard@ec-nantes.fr - +33 2 40 37 16 87
OPEN-C Foundation
The OPEN-C Foundation, a public-interest organization, manages France's 5 offshore test sites for floating wind turbines and marine renewable energies, providing research and technology infrastructures for testing tomorrow's energy solutions at sea. Thanks to its sites and expertise, it helps reduce the risks and costs of offshore projects, accelerate innovation and support the development of MRE in France and Europe.
https://fondation-open-c.org/
Press contact: Sandrine JAMET - presse@fondation-open-c.org - +33 6 84 19 74 72
