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How partnerships could help businesses win share of £11.2m for offshore wind innovation
Regional businesses can unlock a share of a multi-million pound call for innovation in the offshore wind industry through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is offering the money to support innovators with pioneering ideas that would reduce costs in the offshore wind sector to £100/MWh by 2020.
Estimates say the UK could have around 12% of the global offshore wind market of £56 billion by 2050, which would make a big contribution to the UK balance of payments and mandatory carbon emission targets.
The Government and the TSB are focusing on the transfer of manufacturing expertise and technology from sectors not currently associated with offshore wind. They are targeting defence, oil & gas, automotive and manufacturing, advanced materials, aerospace, marine industries and environmental management.
Plymouth University's Growth Acceleration and Investment Network (GAIN) believes there are many regional companies with the skills and ideas that would make them eligible to apply.
Rupert Lorraine, Business Partner with the University's Research & Innovation Directorate, said: "The Marine Energy Industry is poised for huge expansion and businesses in the South West are well placed to exploit these opportunities - we are actively seeking partnerships with firms looking to take forward innovative project ideas."
Success would give companies the opportunity to break into or raise their profile in the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector and the chance to work collaboratively with the Knowledge Base.
The contest to get unique ideas off the drawing board and into turbines out at sea is in three parts:
1 DECC - Offshore Wind Component Technologies Development & Demonstration
There is £7 million in total in this category, with up to £4 million for individual projects. Ministers expect to fund between five and 12 projects focusing on turbines, foundations, connections and transmissions, installation, and O&M.
2 TSB - Feasibility Studies for Offshore Wind
£3 million total with up to £150K for individual projects with the focus on gathering latent ideas and technology from parallel sectors, for example automotive, defence, marine etc.
This is to explore a new innovative technology for offshore wind and bring assembly methods and technologies from the manufacturing industries in order to support rapid growth in the sector. Projects must be pre-commercialisation and business-led.
Of interest here is enhancing drivetrain reliability in order to avoid unplanned maintenance, which is critical when 100km offshore.
Advanced Assembly Technologies, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), supply chain and quality management are also priorities.
3 NERC/TSB Targeted KTP Call - Developing the Offshore Renewable Supply Chain
There is £1.2 million available, with a £200K contribution from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), to fund individual KTPs with a preferred duration of two years with a focus on businesses either operating in, or interested in joining, the ORE supply chain.
NERC is particularly keen to fund projects on underwater noise, marine life collision risk, and data access and management. Projects can link to the TSB feasibility call but must not be co-dependent.
Plymouth University is experienced in working with the TSB, is a key partner in the South West Marine Energy Park, is pro-active in supporting this sector, and has academic and infrastructure support available through PRIMaRE. The University has an exceptional track record in supporting Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
Adam Corney, Plymouth University's Marine Commercial Director said the University's new £19m Marine Building with unique Wave Tank facilities for testing devices and the Marine Innovation Centre would be important assets for businesses wishing to explore opportunities in marine technology.
There are also a number of graduates coming out of the University's Marine Renewable MSc who could be the potential KTP associates for this call.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is Europe's leading programme helping businesses to improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that are available within the UK knowledge base.
Part-funded by Government, a KTP involves the formation of a Partnership between business (including private and third sector organisations) and an academic institution (such as Plymouth University) along with the appointment of a recently qualified graduate (known as the KTP Associate). The Associate is jointly supervised to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and embedding of a new capability within the organisation.
Sally Sharpe, Business Development Manager at Plymouth University said it was a cost-effective solution for businesses to enter a KTP because the University can provide specialist advice.
She said: "KTP is a proven and cost effective solution to allow businesses to engage with the University, gain access to academic expertise and facilities and deliver a strategically important project. Dedicated staff within Plymouth University's KTP Office identify the needs of the business, identify the relevant academic expertise, take the lead in the development of the proposal application form and support the KTP over its lifecycle."
Businesses should ring 0800 0525600 for details of KTPs or visit the link: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=35910
The need to reduce offshore wind energy costs was highlighted in the Offshore Wind Technology Innovation Needs Assessment (TINA) published by the Low Carbon Innovation Coordination Group (LCICG) in February this year.
The Assessment concluded that offshore wind has tremendous potential to reduce the UK's reliance on imported fossil fuels helping cut carbon and meet the UK's renewables targets.
It said innovation was the key to improving efficiency. Other strategies to improve competitiveness included developing ideas on from research into development in feasibility studies and knowledge transfer partnerships.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said of the contests: "This cash will help innovators across the UK develop a range of new ideas to cut costs and make offshore wind turbines more efficient to run.
"This new investment follows two successful rounds of our offshore wind innovation scheme and I would encourage companies who haven't yet taken advantage of this funding to get on board."
Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board Iain Gray added: "Through this funding we want to encourage the development of technologies that will reduce the cost of energy from offshore wind farms, while ensuring that companies in the UK supply chain increase their share of the market.
"We'd particularly welcome ideas from companies in parallel sectors - such as oil and gas, aerospace and manufacturing - who may wish to expand into the offshore wind sector."
Estimates say the UK could have around 12% of the global offshore wind market of £56 billion by 2050, which would make a big contribution to the UK balance of payments and mandatory carbon emission targets.
The Government and the TSB are focusing on the transfer of manufacturing expertise and technology from sectors not currently associated with offshore wind. They are targeting defence, oil & gas, automotive and manufacturing, advanced materials, aerospace, marine industries and environmental management.
Plymouth University's Growth Acceleration and Investment Network (GAIN) believes there are many regional companies with the skills and ideas that would make them eligible to apply.
Rupert Lorraine, Business Partner with the University's Research & Innovation Directorate, said: "The Marine Energy Industry is poised for huge expansion and businesses in the South West are well placed to exploit these opportunities - we are actively seeking partnerships with firms looking to take forward innovative project ideas."
Success would give companies the opportunity to break into or raise their profile in the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector and the chance to work collaboratively with the Knowledge Base.
The contest to get unique ideas off the drawing board and into turbines out at sea is in three parts:
1 DECC - Offshore Wind Component Technologies Development & Demonstration
There is £7 million in total in this category, with up to £4 million for individual projects. Ministers expect to fund between five and 12 projects focusing on turbines, foundations, connections and transmissions, installation, and O&M.
2 TSB - Feasibility Studies for Offshore Wind
£3 million total with up to £150K for individual projects with the focus on gathering latent ideas and technology from parallel sectors, for example automotive, defence, marine etc.
This is to explore a new innovative technology for offshore wind and bring assembly methods and technologies from the manufacturing industries in order to support rapid growth in the sector. Projects must be pre-commercialisation and business-led.
Of interest here is enhancing drivetrain reliability in order to avoid unplanned maintenance, which is critical when 100km offshore.
Advanced Assembly Technologies, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), supply chain and quality management are also priorities.
3 NERC/TSB Targeted KTP Call - Developing the Offshore Renewable Supply Chain
There is £1.2 million available, with a £200K contribution from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), to fund individual KTPs with a preferred duration of two years with a focus on businesses either operating in, or interested in joining, the ORE supply chain.
NERC is particularly keen to fund projects on underwater noise, marine life collision risk, and data access and management. Projects can link to the TSB feasibility call but must not be co-dependent.
Plymouth University is experienced in working with the TSB, is a key partner in the South West Marine Energy Park, is pro-active in supporting this sector, and has academic and infrastructure support available through PRIMaRE. The University has an exceptional track record in supporting Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
Adam Corney, Plymouth University's Marine Commercial Director said the University's new £19m Marine Building with unique Wave Tank facilities for testing devices and the Marine Innovation Centre would be important assets for businesses wishing to explore opportunities in marine technology.
There are also a number of graduates coming out of the University's Marine Renewable MSc who could be the potential KTP associates for this call.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is Europe's leading programme helping businesses to improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that are available within the UK knowledge base.
Part-funded by Government, a KTP involves the formation of a Partnership between business (including private and third sector organisations) and an academic institution (such as Plymouth University) along with the appointment of a recently qualified graduate (known as the KTP Associate). The Associate is jointly supervised to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and embedding of a new capability within the organisation.
Sally Sharpe, Business Development Manager at Plymouth University said it was a cost-effective solution for businesses to enter a KTP because the University can provide specialist advice.
She said: "KTP is a proven and cost effective solution to allow businesses to engage with the University, gain access to academic expertise and facilities and deliver a strategically important project. Dedicated staff within Plymouth University's KTP Office identify the needs of the business, identify the relevant academic expertise, take the lead in the development of the proposal application form and support the KTP over its lifecycle."
Businesses should ring 0800 0525600 for details of KTPs or visit the link: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=35910
The need to reduce offshore wind energy costs was highlighted in the Offshore Wind Technology Innovation Needs Assessment (TINA) published by the Low Carbon Innovation Coordination Group (LCICG) in February this year.
The Assessment concluded that offshore wind has tremendous potential to reduce the UK's reliance on imported fossil fuels helping cut carbon and meet the UK's renewables targets.
It said innovation was the key to improving efficiency. Other strategies to improve competitiveness included developing ideas on from research into development in feasibility studies and knowledge transfer partnerships.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said of the contests: "This cash will help innovators across the UK develop a range of new ideas to cut costs and make offshore wind turbines more efficient to run.
"This new investment follows two successful rounds of our offshore wind innovation scheme and I would encourage companies who haven't yet taken advantage of this funding to get on board."
Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board Iain Gray added: "Through this funding we want to encourage the development of technologies that will reduce the cost of energy from offshore wind farms, while ensuring that companies in the UK supply chain increase their share of the market.
"We'd particularly welcome ideas from companies in parallel sectors - such as oil and gas, aerospace and manufacturing - who may wish to expand into the offshore wind sector."
