The biggest offshore wind “living lab” in the world will be created off the Grimsby coast to test robotics and autonomous solutions to support necessary inspections, maintenance and repair in the offshore wind industry.
The project by a ORE Catapult-led group involves the development of a 5G Testbed that includes Grimsby Port and the Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farm.
It is hoped that the £2.8m scheme will accelerate the development of a new generation of digital technologies essential for the huge expansion of offshore wind generation required to meet climate targets.
It is being driven by a consortium that brings together the expertise of Microsoft, Vilicom, JET Connectivity, XceCo, Associated British Ports (ABP), Acceleran and Satellite Applications Catapult.
The offshore wind sector is growing rapidly, increasing the need for O&M, which can be both expensive and hazardous, said ORE Catapult.
On average, O&M accounts for 25% of the total lifetime cost of an offshore wind farm, and as the sector expands, there is a strong push to reduce this cost by using robotics and autonomous solutions to support necessary inspections, maintenance and repair, it said.
The 5G Testbed will allow technology providers to test and demonstrate their equipment in real world conditions, with access to reliable, high-speed communications.
It aims to kickstart a digital revolution in offshore wind O&M in the region and attract users from the global offshore wind sector.
Ben George, head of smart operations and maintenance at ORE Catapult, said: “This 5G Testbed is a hugely exciting development for O&M in offshore renewable energy, as it establishes the core communications infrastructure for the biggest offshore wind ‘living lab’ in the world.
“The Testbed will demonstrate the benefits of new remote digital solutions that require high bandwidth, low latency wireless communications – aimed at making O&M safer, greener and more effective.
“It will provide a real-world development, demonstration and test zone for robotics and autonomous systems (RAS), remote sensors, wearable technology, cyber security, zero emission vessels, smart ports, and aquaculture that will drive the digital future of O&M.
“This gives UK innovators and technology developers the upper hand as they bring new products and services to market, including for export into an offshore wind sector that is booming around the world.
“We are delighted to be working with our group of expert partners as we seek to transform the Humber into a new ‘silicon estuary’.”
To create the Testbed, two 5G technology development and demonstration zones over the existing fibre network will be built – one at Grimsby Port and the other within the Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farm.
Fifteen 5G radio transmitters will be placed across five sites including wind turbines and a radio mast, and two 5G solar powered buoys will provide an extended 5G network beyond the range of the wind farm.
JET Connectivity is providing the 5G solar powered buoys for the project.
The project will be funded with £1m from the Innovate UK Cyber Physical Infrastructure (CPI) fund, an expected £1m from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and industry match funding.