EOWDC, Aberdeen. Credit: Vattenfall/ TVP Film & Multimedia Ltd.

UK innovators to benefit from £1.5m Catapult collaboration

Innovators could have the chance to test their technologies at one of the world’s most advanced offshore wind farms thanks to a new £1.5m collaboration between the Catapult and Swedish energy group Vattenfall. The three-year programme will give successful applicants the opportunity to test and demonstrate at the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), and aims to support small innovators in overcoming the barrier of access to real-life testing facilities on the road to commercialisation. Find out how to get involved on our website via the link below.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen-based Rigmar Group has been contracted by Vattenfall to carry out inspections at the EOWDC. One of the first companies to benefit from the Catapult’s F4OR supply chain programme, the inspection and maintenance specialist's first win as main contractor in offshore wind will create local jobs at one of the most innovative wind farms in the world.

Qingdao Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology.

Catapult and TUS extend China collaboration

The Catapult and TUS Holdings have extended their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the People’s Government of Qingdao and the Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao).

China is predicted to become the world’s largest offshore wind market by 2030, with the Chinese government investing $100bn in wind power projects by 2020. 

"This new collaboration is an important and very welcome next step in growing our presence in China," said the Catapult's CEO Andrew Jamieson. "We expect it to facilitate further joint research programmes and support market entry, and incubation for UK businesses in China through demonstration of new technologies on a 300MW windfarm in the Shandong Province.”

New task force to boost skills in UK's offshore wind sector

A new task force, which will help to increase the number of skilled people working in the UK’s world-leading offshore wind industry, held its first meeting last week.

The Catapult is a part of the Investment in Talent Group, which aims to ensure that the industry attracts a wide, diverse pool of talent as the number of jobs in offshore wind trebles to 27,000 by 2030. 

The launch of the new group is one of a series of initiatives being undertaken by industry and Government as part of the landmark Offshore Wind Sector Deal announced in March. "I'm delighted to be a part of this group to attract talent to our fast-growing and exciting sector," tweeted Chris Hill, the Catapult's Operational Performance Director.

Wave Energy Scotland open call for innovative quick connection solutions

Wave Energy Scotland is seeking concepts for innovative Quick Connection Systems suitable for use with a variety of wave energy converters.

Several power take-off devices have already been developed in the WES programme and are undergoing rigorous testing in real sea conditions. Construction of the two novel wave energy converters is about to commence and both 50% scale models will be tested in Orkney next summer.

“This is an important step forward for Scotland’s world leading wave energy sector," said Paul Wheelhouse, Scotland's Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands. "Wave energy offers enormous economic potential for Scotland and as a technology which can help to tackle the global climate emergency. I look forward to hearing of Wave Energy Scotland’s further progress over the coming months.”