The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has identified two specialist companies as preferred contractors to support the development of its new blade testing and upgraded drive train testing facilities.
Announced in May, the programme of works will keep the UK at the forefront of technology development in offshore wind, with £85.6m of capital funding from UKRI enabling the Catapult to expand and upgrade its testing facilities and enable the evolution of the next generation of wind turbines in the UK.
IDOM, a leading multinational provider of professional services in engineering and architecture, will take the lead on the construction of a brand new 150m blade test facility that will offer certification testing having been designed to exceed requirements of the next edition of blade test standard IEC61400-23.
RENK Test System GmbH, a German manufacturer of high-efficiency propulsion and drive train technology systems, will lead on the installation of a new test rig at the Catapult's drive train facility in Blyth, that will see capacity increased from 15MW to an initial 23MW.
Both blade and drive train capabilities will have the capacity for further expansion, to 180m and 28MW respectively, to meet future industry demand.
Tony Quinn, Director of Technology Development at ORE Catapult, said: "The upgrade to the Catapult's blade and drive train test and validation capabilities is a vital part of our future roadmap, a critical contribution to UK's Net Zero and Energy Security Strategy and is much needed by the sector to facilitate a rigorous approach to wind turbine technology development. Following a robust procurement process, we are delighted to be working with IDOM and RENK during the pre-construction phase of this project as we work through the fine details of how to deliver two such critical projects side by side."
Armando Bilbao, Operations Director at IDOM, said: "IDOM is very proud to collaborate again with ORE Catapult team towards the design completion, fabrication and construction of what will be the future largest blade test facility in the world. Featuring a controllable fully tilt-able hub support for the blade this new test rig will be able to provide operational agility, flexibility and enhanced efficiency."
Mathias Karrer, Managing Director RENK Test System GmbH, said: "Offshore wind energy is one of the cornerstones of the necessary transition to carbon neutrality. We at RENK are very proud to be a trusted partner of ORE Catapult in the upgrade of their renowned drive train testing facility, which will enable future and ever more powerful offshore wind turbines with its outstanding and pioneering new testing capabilities".
These late-stage research and development facilities, combined with ORE Catapult's extensive expertise in test and demonstration, will ensure that turbine manufacturers can accelerate their technology development in the UK with reduced risk and enhanced reliability for a new wave of larger, more efficient machines.
Pre-construction activities are currently underway prior to formal contract awards.
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