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A £1 million analysis and innovation (R&I) programme is trying to find novel options to assist ship offshore wind quicker, cheaper and at decrease threat.
The primary in a sequence of innovation calls has opened for functions, with as much as £300,000 out there to tasks.
The Offshore Wind R&I Programme, delivered by the European Marine Power Centre (EMEC), primarily based in Orkney, and sponsored by the West of Orkney Windfarm, is exploring methods to beat particular technical challenges in offshore wind and to embed the financial advantages within the north of Scotland.
A sequence of innovation calls will handle totally different problem areas dealing with the West of Orkney Windfarm, spanning metocean, set up, logistics, and operations and upkeep (O&M).
Final yr, the West of Orkney Windfarm secured the rights to an space of seabed from Crown Property Scotland to develop an offshore wind farm 30 km west of the Orkney Mainland and 25 km north of the Sutherland coast. As soon as full, the multi-billion pound undertaking will ship sufficient electrical energy to energy greater than two million houses, alongside vital social and financial advantages to the north of Scotland.
The R&I Programme will sponsor progressive tasks to assist the provision chain carry new options to market, construct operational capability and scale up actions. Profitable candidates may get help with growing a strong undertaking proposal, accessing various grant funding and entry to EMEC’s world-leading check and demonstration websites.
The primary innovation name is now open and is in search of options that handle a minimum of one of many following challenges:
- Understanding metocean circumstances at and en path to the West of Orkney Windfarm web site, to tell resolution making on set up and O&M actions.
- Design for brief climate window installations to maximise alternatives for environment friendly set up.
The innovation name will shut at 1pm, Monday 12 February 2024.
The West of Orkney Windfarm is funding the R&I Programme as much as £1 million. A most of £300,000 is offered for the primary innovation name, nonetheless further funding could also be made out there to these with the potential to have the most important affect on the wind farm.
Initiatives should present a transparent and justifiable profit to the West of Orkney Windfarm and the way they might additionally carry wider advantages throughout the offshore wind sector, provide chain, and economic system within the area.
Functions are inspired from firms and analysis establishments in the area people and additional afield, nationally and internationally.
Dr Heather Turnbull, Offshore Wind R&I Programme undertaking supervisor at EMEC, mentioned:
“Working with the West of Orkney Windfarm, we’re aiming to speed up innovation within the north of Scotland, decreasing the time, value and threat of offshore wind roll out, whereas enhancing provide chain capability within the area. This programme goals to assist companies develop and create jobs, bringing abilities, capabilities and financial profit nearer to wind farm tasks.
“The innovation calls have been designed to help firms discover methods to beat the technical challenges dealing with offshore wind developments, giving them the instruments wanted to assist construct out offshore wind tasks all through Scotland, the UK and additional afield.
“We’re additionally trying to herald further business sponsors to broaden the remit of the programme to different offshore wind developments throughout the area.”
Mike Hay, Deputy Challenge Director on the West of Orkney Windfarm, mentioned:
“We’re actually excited to be supporting this EMEC initiative to assist ship the West of Orkney Windfarm safer, quicker and at decrease value. We’re additionally delighted to be serving to within the diversification technique of a significant native employer by leveraging EMEC’s substantial expertise within the administration of innovation programmes into offshore wind.
“Though focussed on the West of Orkney Windfarm, we count on the outputs of this programme to have a lot wider implications on the supply of offshore wind tasks in difficult marine environments. The Offshore Wind R&I Programme may subsequently additionally assist embed a profitable provide chain alternative in Scotland that would transcend West of Orkney Windfarm to work on tasks internationally.”
A webinar will likely be held on Friday 12 January 2024 at 12 midday to provide an summary of the programme, innovation calls and what’s on supply to potential candidates.
Potential candidates can register for the webinar right here: Offshore Wind R&I Programme webinar | 12 January 2024
Full name particulars will be discovered on the brand new Offshore Wind R&I Programme web site: www.offshoreinnovation.scot
