A subsea “sheepdog” robot could herd seals away from piling work at offshore wind farm sites.
The idea – using an autonomous underwater vehicle – was among those hatched at a pioneering workshop seeking innovation to solve subsea engineering challenges highlighted by the growing renewables sector.
Delivered by the team behind the £6 million SCORE innovation fund, the event brought together a mix of industry experts and delegates representing companies across the offshore renewable energy, oil and gas and engineering sectors.
They were set a series of challenges currently facing the offshore renewables industry, and shown the opportunities, support and funding available to companies who can deliver cost-effective innovative solutions.
The challenges included:
The day-long event, held at the OrbisEnergy innovation hub at Lowestoft, was led by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, part of the SCORE project team.
After a series of “sandpit” sessions to look at the challenges, some possible solutions included:
The workshop was the first in a series planned over the next three years to tackle a wide range of issues facing the offshore renewable energy industry and to draw on the expertise in small and medium sized companies which would provide innovative solutions as well as driving down costs.
SCORE, a £6 million scheme part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), highlighted the grant and technical support it can offer to innovative firms. SCORE is led by enterprise specialists Nwes, in partnership with energy industry experts Nautilus Associates, ORE Catapult and OrbisEnergy.
Delegates heard that 20% of the UK’s infrastructure projects last year were in offshore wind – and worth £4 billion.
Speakers included Rachel Beedie, Scottish Power Renewables’ innovation project manager for the £2.5 billion East Anglia One windfarm off Suffolk, which will generate 300 construction jobs as well as power for 500,000 homes.
She stressed that innovation was a key part of the scheme - with bigger 7MW direct drive generators and frond mats to stop scour – while they were looking at corrosion, cable protection, scour and LiDAR use for future projects.
Johnathan Reynolds, director of Nautilus Associates, provided an in-depth look at offshore wind projects operating or being developed off the East coast, offering practical insights in developing novel and innovative ideas, solutions and technologies.
After the initial workshop, ORE Catapult’s regional engagement manager Simon Cheeseman said: “The day was a real success – putting the challenges facing our sector into perspective and introducing companies to people who can help take their innovative ideas to market.
“This has set a path for networking and collaboration, and we are keen to hear from any more SMEs who can bring us ideas to help tackle the industry’s challenges.”
SCORE is also currently running a series of roadshows touring the region where local companies can chat to SCORE staff about the grants and meet businesses that have benefited from the scheme. The remaining sessions are: 11 May, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge; 18 May, OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft.