The Efficient Offshore Wind Program is a globally significant research and development program involving four leading energy sector companies formed to investigate and overcome challenges in the offshore wind industry. Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe, SSE, Technip Offshore Wind and Wood Group Renewables were joined by Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for the official public program announcement of the £33 million (US$51 million) Efficient Offshore Wind Program (EOWP) – set up to overcome challenges in the offshore wind industry, create over 100 jobs in the UK’s energy sector and help the UK drive for clean energy.
The EOWP is a globally significant research and development program involving four leading energy sector companies. It was formed to investigate many elements of offshore wind farm design, with the overall objective of improving the viability of offshore wind, creating value for customers with reduced operational costs, and boosting confidence in the UK offshore wind market.
Following an initial memorandum of understanding between Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe, The UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the project commenced in April 2010 and was awarded a government grant for research and development of £14 million (US$21.7 million).
By 2015, the EOWP will have completed a number of projects focused on more efficient and cost effective offshore wind technology. Examples of the consortium’s work include; optimized and designed-for-manufacture substructures, more efficient land and marine-based transport and installation, as well as the new game changing wind turbine transmission on display at the launch today – which omits the need for traditional wind turbine components (gearboxes and power converters) that are often the source of faults in conventional wind turbines.
