Floating Wind JIP launches technology competition

Offshore staff

LONDON – The Floating Wind joint industry project (JIP), managed by the Carbon Trust, has launched the Floating Wind Technology Acceleration Competition.

Formed in 2016, the Floating Wind JIP is a collaborative research and development initiative between the Carbon Trust, Scottish government, and 14 international offshore wind developers: EnBW, ENGIE, Eolfi, E.ON, Equinor, ScottishPower Renewables, innogy, Kyuden Mirai Energy, Ørsted, Shell, SSE, TEPCO, Vattenfall, and Wpd.

Funded by the Scottish government, the objective of the competition is to accelerate the development and de-risking of floating wind technology with a particular emphasis on mooring systems and operations and maintenance (O&M).

It is specifically seeking technologies to address four key challenge areas:

• Technologies that will enable effective and safe major component exchange offshore. For example, by compensating for the relative motion between the vessel and turbine during O&M.
• Developing cost-effective and safe disconnection and re-connection operations when turbine foundations are towed to port. This includes novel ‘out of service’ arrangements which ensure mooring lines and electrical array cables safely remain secured in-situ while the turbine is in port.
• New methods for cost-effective, safe, and reliable monitoring and inspection of large numbers of mooring lines, power cables, and foundation structures.
• New methods, materials, or technologies that reduce the cost of mooring systems through easier and safe installation and/or reduced maintenance requirements.

Deadline for applications is Nov. 5, 2019.

09/13/2019