Equinor and Norwegian research and development agency SINTEF have agreed on a strategic collaboration in four key areas, including offshore wind.
Under the agreement, which will run for four years, the two partners will exchange and develop ideas and “radical solutions” in the fields of marine systems, energy systems, modelling studies as well as offshore wind.
Equinor and SINTEF have already been collaborating on floating wind, dating back to the first test of the Hywind floating turbine platform technology in SINTEF’s Ocean Basin Laboratory, in 2005.
The two partners will continue their collaboration in this area by focusing on anchoring systems for the turbines, maintenance, control systems and grid connection.
In addition to improving the Hywind concept, the two partners will also examine other concepts for floating wind.
The companies will collaborate on projects that can provide “good value creation” and help Equinor’s transition into becoming a broad energy company, the offshore wind developer said.
Equinor research and technology vice president Sophie Hildebrand said: “Equinor and SINTEF have a long history together, but we must continue to look ahead.
“With this agreement, we can quickly achieve results in areas that are important for the energy transition.”
SINTEF president Alexandra Bech Gjorv said: “This agreement is about more than just a collaboration within Norway’s borders. It is about strengthening our global position in areas where Norway has a strong natural and technological advantage.
“Norway is an energy and maritime nation and could become one of the biggest players within sustainable energy from the ocean.”
Marine systems encompasses the challenges related to marine structures, anchoring, risers and underwater pipelines, underwater technology, underwater robotics, safety and the environment.
Energy systems is focused on development of storage methods for renewable energy.
The modelling studies area is related to the three other topics.
After the first four years there is the option for the partners to extend if by another four.