Innovation in the offshore wind sector has just been given a major boost with the announcement of the first three winners under the second call of the Offshore Wind Component Technologies Development and Demonstration scheme, organised by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB). A fourth round of this competition has also been launched.
High Voltage Partial Discharge (HVPD) Ltd, JDR Cable Systems Ltd and Principle Power have received nearly £2.3million under the £5million second call of competition which was launched in May last year. The money will be used to develop a range of novel ideas intended to cut costs and drive growth in the offshore wind sector. These ideas include the design of an integrated offshore high voltage network management system, development of innovative HVAC cables and the creation of new floating foundations for wind turbines.
This money will be used for a range of novel ideas to help cut costs and drive forward growth in the offshore wind sector, including design of an integrated offshore high voltage network management system, development of innovative HVAC cables, and the creation of new floating foundations for wind turbines.
Offshore wind has an enormous amount of potential to reduce UK reliance on fossil fuels, helping to reduce carbon and meeting the country’s renewable energy targets. The key to improving efficiency in the sector is innovation which has the potential to significantly drive down costs by 25 percent by 2020 and 60 percent by 2050, however further investment is needed in the sector.
“This £2.3million will give three more companies the boost they need to take their innovative designs to the next level, helping cut costs in offshore wind generation, and ultimately helping us harness more power from turbines out at sea” said Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker. “I wish High Voltage Partial Discharge Ltd, JDR Cable Systems Ltd and Principle Power (Europe) Ltd every success with their projects. I am also pleased to announce the launch of a £4million fourth round of this competition and would encourage organisations with innovative ideas to apply.”
UK Offshore wind innovation benefits from £6.3 million funding boost
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