Innovation in design concepts

Electrical Infrastructure > Enabling Research > Design and materials

Exploring how potential large arrays located far from shore farms (wind, tidal and wave) might lead to different optimal design concepts than those already adopted.

Type of Entry: Innovation Area

Requires implementation offshore: Yes

Start TRL: TRL 1

Target TRL: TRL 4

Enabler: Academia

Beneficiary: Owner Operators

Strategic Outcome: Enabling disruptive innovation

Forecast Start: 2022

Forecatest Finish: 2036

Potential to Reduce LCOE: Medium

UK Benefit: High

Case for Intervention: High

HSE impact: Medium

UK Benefit - notes: Totally new design concept could be developed and UK could export knowhow, R&D and potentially manufacture of new-concept turbines.

Intervention - notes: Due to the low TRL, this must be driven by academia, but the participation of Industry/SMEs is critical to assure significance and relevance of the proposed concepts.

HSE impact notes: Results are unknown yet as it will depend on a design

Turbines

Developing the next generation of offshore wind turbines, incorporating all the technology that forms the structural and operational elements of the wind turbine generator.

Turbines

Substructures

Innovations in fixed and floating wind turbine foundations and substructures, including transition pieces.

Substructures

Electrical Infrastructure

Moving to next generation electrical infrastructure including array cabling, power transmission, grid integration (storage, smart energy systems) and onshore & offshore substations.

Electrical Infrastructure

O&M and Windfarm Lifecycle

Optimising and future-proofing all services associated with offshore wind, including site development, installation, wind farm O&M, condition monitoring, and decommissioning.

O&M and Windfarm Lifecycle