The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult is calling for novel technologies that can service the offshore renewables’ industry. It wants new autonomous subsea and subsurface inspection techniques and improved condition monitoring systems for offshore wind farms.
Successful respondents could benefit from a £19 million InnovateUK funding call for emerging and enabling technologies, designed to help UK businesses broaden their innovation activities, disrupt existing markets and find new revenue sources. They will also have access to the Catapult’s engineering and testing expertise, and support to commercialise their technologies and access new markets.
Andrew Macdonald, senior innovation manager for ORE Catapult, said “The Emerging and Enabling Technologies funding from Innovate UK is well suited to the offshore renewables sector. There is a rapidly growing demand for innovation in sensors, robotics, satellite applications and data analytics in the sector to help reduce the cost of energy. Our Innovation Challenges identify specific industry needs that are within the scope of the InnovateUK funding call.
“Successful responses to these challenges will improve the installation, operations and maintenance of offshore renewable technology, driving down the overall cost at the same time as driving growth for UK companies. Our role at the Catapult is to help companies diversify into renewables, helping them to target technology development and carry out testing that will reduce the risks inherent in commercialisation.”
More information on the ORE Catapult website
Further reading
Offshore Catapult wants university partner to launch ‘electrical infrastructure’ research hub
Energy Systems Catapult calls for network-test partners – register your interest
Hydrogen grid? Think about power – and gas – needs, says energy systems expert
Offshore Wind Innovation Exchange seeks new and disruptive ideas from SMEs outside the industry