The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult in partnership with the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), G+ and the Workboat Association are seeking a solution to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission in confined spaces on crew transfer vessels (CTVs).
The call aims to find a way to reduce transmission risk and enable safe vessel transit for offshore wind turbine technicians.
Social distancing measures due to Covid-19 are forcing operators to limit CTV operations to a maximum of four passengers, rather than the usual 12 or 24, which is impacting the amount of work that can be undertaken and is affecting jobs and energy production, ORE Catapult said.
The group’s O&M Centre of Excellence is working with the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), offshore wind safety group G+ and the Workboat Association to set up a cross-sector CTV innovation challenge in search of a rapid solution.
Possible options could be a partition, which can be deployed onboard the vessels and allow an increase in passenger and crew numbers.
The challenge was identified by members of the Operational Contingency initiative, established by ORE Catapult’s O&M Centre of Excellence in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
ORE Catapult operational performance director Chris Hill said: “Being able to operate and maintain the UK’s offshore wind fleet safely in the face of Covid-19 is essential to keep the lights on and safeguard thousands of jobs.
“It will also be vital in accelerating UK economic recovery and meeting our decarbonisation targets as we exit this crisis.
“Our operational contingency initiative has responded quickly to the unprecedented challenges we are faced with and is moving quickly to find and implement solutions in support of business continuity and the safe operation of critical clean energy infrastructure.”
The innovation call presents a significant commercial opportunity to the successful solution provider, with the potential to offer the solution to workboat operators in other industries.
G+ general manager Kate Harvey said “As offshore wind farm generation continues to be required, G+ members across the globe are looking for innovative ways to keep their workers safe.
“The G+ is hopeful that this project will uncover solutions that can ensure this and are delighted that the Workboat Association is also involved so as to ensure that any solutions are able to work in practice.”
More information can be found here.