An initiative involving the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORES) Catapult has resulted in eight UK organisations signing agreements to develop and provide renewable energy technologies, services and research in China.
The eight innovators, which come from diverse backgrounds, including Formula 1, robotics, oil and gas, marine energy and digital, have all been supported by TORC, the joint venture research and incubation centre established in March 2019 by the ORE Catapult and China’s Tus Wind.
Aerodynamics specialists Anakata Wind Power has created Tus-Aero, a 50:50 joint venture company with Tus-Wind, to develop and supply its performance improving aerodynamic blade add-ons.
Anakata has been working with TORC for the past year and has installed its technology on a number of Chinese onshore wind farms, proving a potential 6% annual energy increase.
Six further UK companies have signed memorandums of understanding with TORC to develop collaborative projects for the Chinese market.
Remotely operated vehicles specialist Aleron Group will bring its MultiRov product to the Chinese market, while Blueprint Subsea is aiming to bring offshore, subsea and commercial diving markets technology to the Asian country.
Other companies involved are hydrogen and fuel cell technologies experts Logan Energy, Miros Scotland, which has more than 35 years of experience providing sensors and systems for environmental monitoring to the global offshore and maritime industry, and REOptimize Systems, which will collaborate with TORC on bringing a wind turbine performance assessment and optimisation service to market in China.
ZOEX Wave Power will work with TORC to identify manufacturing and demonstration partners in Asia.
In addition, a new academic research partnership has been formed, with an MoU between TORC and Harbin Engineering University (HEU) and Exeter University.
Lars Johanning is in charge of the HEU Yantai research activities and a leading academic in marine renewables in the UK.
His team will collaborate on developing an international academic / industry partnership to develop marine renewables.
ORE Catapult director of research and disruptive Innovation Stephen Wyatt said: “We are delighted that these companies have partnered with our research and innovation centre in Yantai to take their world-leading technology to the Chinese offshore wind market, which is forecast to be the biggest in the world by 2030.
“Through TORC, our unique partnership between ORE Catapult and Tus Wind, we can provide the necessary support to ensure these companies succeed in China.”
Tus Holdings senior vice president and TORC chairman Charlie Du said: “The ocean energy industry in China is growing at 20% per year and will be the largest such market in the world over the next 20 years.
“Supporting, nurturing and developing the world’s leading marine science expertise and technology from both the UK and China will play an instrumental role in driving the world’s economic recovery from the Coronavirus.”
Anakata Wind Power founder and chief executive Ben Wood said: “After less than a year working with TORC, the formation of Tus-Aero is a massive step forward, with ambition to create a global leader in improving onshore and offshore wind turbine blade efficiency.
“We represent a fusion of Formula 1 innovation and wind turbine aerodynamics, combining UK and Chinese technology and experience to provide services to maintain aerodynamic excellence.
“Working with TORC over the past year to demonstrate our technology at scale in China has already enabled us to build our engineering team in the UK and more than doubled our business development activities in Europe.”
Logan Energy chief executive Bill Ireland said: “China has ambitious goals to develop into a hydrogen society, which is why there has been a surge in hydrogen and fuel cell development – it hopes that hydrogen will account for 10% of its energy system by 2040. Hydrogen is a valuable way for China to meet its climate and pollution goals without increased reliance on imported fuels.
“It’s great to be working with TUS-ORE Catapult to explore the positive impact that hydrogen applications could have within Chinese aquaculture, and to be part of the strengthening links between China and Britain.”
Miros Group chief executive Andreas Brekke said: “We are excited to be a part of this initiative and to have the opportunity to support the impressive speed and scale of China’s offshore wind development.”
REOptimize Systems managing director Richard Crozier said: “We are very excited about this unparalleled opportunity to establish our company in China with the support of TORC, increasing our chances of commercial success.
“We will be looking to strengthen our offering by partnering with TORC and the other UK SMEs that are part of this programme.”