The UK’s Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and Spain’s Tecnalia are teaming up on offshore renewable energy research and development.
The two organisations have signed a collaboration agreement with the aim of developing R&D projects to tackle technology challenges facing the sector.
They will collaborate on EU frameworks and share testing and demonstration experience in offshore wind energy technologies.
The aim is to improve existing testing capabilities and facilitate access to each other’s testing infrastructure.
ORE Catapult and Tecnalia will also exchange knowledge on HVDC technologies, rain erosion test methodologies, erosion coating technologies and measurement techniques.
Staff from both organisations will sit on each other’s respective advisory groups, helping to identify and prioritise areas where innovative approaches and technological development can accelerate cost reductions.
ORE Catapult innovation & research director Ignacio Martí Pérez said: “Working collaboratively with Tecnalia will enable us to develop international best practise in technology research and development and to focus on accelerating cross border innovation.
“We can then share that knowledge, ultimately benefitting the whole offshore renewables industry and helping to drive down the cost of energy from offshore wind.”
Tecnalia general director of energy and environment Luis Pedrosa said: “Through this framework, sharing knowledge, experiences, facilities, Tecnalia and ORE Catapult will directly support the energy industry to harness the benefits of the huge energy resource that is the sea.”
Image: ORE Catapult
