The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult has taken delivery of new test rig to support the development and improve the performance and reliability of subsea cables.
The 15-tonne cable bend fatigue rig, which was built by Northumberland outfit Osbit to ORE Catapult’s specifications, is capable of testing floating wind and tidal cables.
It can also be used for operational research and as a representative test bed for all aspects of subsea cable development, ORE Catapult said.
The rig will test up to three samples simultaneously, as well as work while fully submerged in seawater. Electrical and mechanical testing can also be carried out together.
ORE Catapult electrical infrastructure asset manager Alex Neumann said: “By adding the new test rig to our UKAS-accredited HV laboratories, we are able to fully integrate our extensive suite of specialist test and measurement facilities and engineering expertise to provide a better understanding of failure modes and in so doing improve the efficiency, performance and resilience of subsea cable systems.”
Osbit managing director Brendon Hayward said “We are pleased to deliver a bespoke testing system to support ORE Catapult in advancing the global development of subsea cables.
“This project is a great case study showing how we employ our risk-mitigating programme delivery system to develop appropriately engineered solutions, fully aligned with our client’s requirements.
“We achieve this by applying informed engineering, an in-house methodology combining awareness of functional requirements and boundaries, with understanding of operational objectives.”
You can see the rig in action here.