The £1 million R&I programme, delivered by EMEC and sponsored by the West of Orkney Windfarm, is designed to find innovative solutions that could deliver offshore wind faster, cheaper and at lower risk.
The programme’s inaugural innovation call attracted 29 applications from supply chain companies. Proposals offered innovative solutions addressing two specific challenge areas identified and prioritised by the programme: understanding metocean conditions at and en route to the West of Orkney Windfarm site; and design for short weather window installations.
Eight companies progressed to stage two of the first call, submitting detailed project proposals for review, after which finalists were invited to pitch their solutions to EMEC and the West of Orkney Windfarm team.
Funding has been awarded to Trios Renewables and Seaview Sensing for the metocean challenge, whilst Next Ocean will address short weather windows.
Trios Renewables is developing a solution to embed spatial metocean intelligence into offshore wind operational expenditure (OpEx) models, narrowing the gap between the oceanography world and the OpEx world. The software will help de-risk and improve bankable financial performance of projects prior to a final investment decision (FID).
Seaview Sensing aims to improve wave measurement accuracy in high seas and provide wind mapping to ensure 24/7 surface current, wave and wind data using a high-frequency radar system. The data can be used to provide real-time metocean information and, with models, improve forecasting and identify weather windows, thus reducing the risk presented by marine weather to people, cargo and vessels.
Next Ocean has developed a novel Wave Predictor tool which predicts waves and ship motions in real time for the upcoming few minutes. This decision support tool provides predictions at a level of detail of individual waves and motion crests, allowing the crew to pick calmer moments to execute the most critical phase of offshore operations.
Projects are now underway and are due to be completed this year.
A further series of innovation calls will address different challenge areas identified by the West of Orkney Windfarm and other sponsors, spanning technology selection, installation logistics, operations and maintenance, sustainable solutions, offshore robotics, digital twins and other cross-cutting innovations.
The next innovation call is due to open in February 2025 and will be targeting solutions for ‘weather forecasting’ and ‘turbine access in rough seas’.
“Congratulations to Trios Renewables, Seaview Sensing and Next Ocean” said Matthew Finn, Commercial Director at EMEC. “The West of Orkney Windfarm will be the first offshore wind project to take on the powerful resources west of the UK. This presents a number of challenges and the innovations brought forward in the first call will help to reduce risk and uncertainties in building and operating the wind farm. EMEC will continue to support the winning companies throughout the delivery phase of their projects providing them with access to inhouse experts, data sets and our offshore testing facilities where required. As these projects get underway, we’re getting ready to launch the next innovation call, as well as engaging with other parties who may be interested in sponsoring the programme and future calls to build the programme out further.”
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