Offshore wind innovators invited to test new technologies at Vattenfall’s site

UK innovators have been invited to test products and services for the offshore wind market in real-world conditions at Vattenfall’s  £300 million European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, off Aberdeen. 

The new £1.5 million three-year agreement between Vattenfall and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult wants innovators to bring forward technologies to solve some of the current operations and maintenance challenges facing the industry. That could be in areas such as blade repair and  erosion, robotics and autonomous systems and remote array cable monitoring and inspection. WInning proposals will be able to use the Centre for testing.

Danielle Lane, Vattenfall’s UK country manager, said: “It’s with innovation – proved in the stormy seas off the Aberdeenshire coast – that the offshore wind industry will make a crucial contribution to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“…And innovation is more easily made commercial in a positive policy framework. That’s why the Offshore Wind Sector Deal, agreed between the industry and the UK government, is so important to securing the long-term potential of the innovation we will see tested at the EOWDC.”

The £300 millon, 93.2MW EOWDC is an offshore wind test and demonstration facility that is home to 11 of the world’s most powerful and innovative wind turbines. 

Companies interested in finding out more should contact [email protected]

Further reading

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The investor connection As Ofgem prepares to begin the tender process to own and operate connections to three new offshore wind farms, New Power Report takes a look at the Ofto story so far