ETZ Ltd and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult have announced that they will co-invest and collaborate in a world leading National Floating Wind Innovation Centre in Aberdeen dedicated to accelerating the commercialisation of floating offshore wind throughout the UK and supporting the incubation of new products, services and businesses within the sector.
The £9 million centre will be located within the Altens Industrial Estate of the Energy Transition Zone and is being developed to ensure that the North East of Scotland and wider UK capitalise on the massive opportunity created by the Scottish seabed leasing round, Scotwind, which will drive the development and demand for floating offshore wind. ETZ Ltd is providing £4m for the capital costs of the innovation centre and ORE Catapult is contributing £5m to operationally run it.
The initial focus of the Centre will be digital simulation and modelling, moving to the testing and validation of the key components of floating structures, including moorings and anchors, dynamic cables and electrical systems. The Centre aims to:
- support the development of a floating wind supply chain, increase UK content for new offshore wind farm developments in the future and strengthen O&M practices;
- support developers, operators, equipment manufacturers, supply chain companies and small innovators with research, test, deployment and validation in relation to offshore wind;
- enable collaboration with and between academia and industry to drive down costs of floating offshore wind and develop, accelerate and validate new and improved technology solutions;
- support clustering of energy transition investment and activities;
- facilitate the transition of technologies from other industries, such as oil and gas; and
- enable technology developers to reduce risks, such as premature failure and reducing unplanned maintenance.
https://ore.catapult.org.uk/press-releases/national-floating-wind-innovation-centre/
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A NEW report setting out how Stanlow’s first hydrogen production plant will benefit tens of thousands of energy consumers and businesses has been published.
Vertex Hydrogen, the joint venture between Essar Oil UK and Progressive Energy, has unveiled the report, detailing the development of the UK’s first ever large-scale low carbon hydrogen production plant.
Two plants will be constructed at the site on Ellesmere Port’s outskirts by the end of 2026, providing a low carbon solution to fuel vital to heavy industry. It is also planned for the second plant to have twice the capacity of the first plant.
The plant’s carbon capture rate target will be 97%, with the first plant producing 350MW and the second 700MW.
The report has been launched by consortium partners Essar, Progressive Energy, Kent and Johnson Matthey to share learnings as to how they are designing and developing the £1 billion ground-breaking hydrogen production plant.
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South Tyneside manufacturer Metec UK has sealed a six-figure deal for a major offshore renewables scheme.
The Jarrow based business, which specialises in corrosion protection for high value subsea kit, has been awarded a contract to supply and install a 30-year cathodic protection system for what’s set to be the UK’s largest offshore wind tower factory.
https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/south-tyneside-manufacturer-metec-wins-23170666