RWE is seeking to attract UK companies to respond to three priority challenges in offshore wind via ORE Catapult’s Launch Academy, which is open to new applications.
The three challenges RWE is looking for responses on are:
Autonomous solutions and the best way to integrate them into wind farm site investigations, construction and operations and maintenance.
Solutions to measure and reduce ecological impacts of wind farm construction and operations on birds.
Ideas and innovations in cable monitoring and protection, aiming to secure a reduction in OWF cable.
ORE Catapult’s national Launch Academy opened for new applications on 19 October.
Since Launch Academy began, 20 companies have progressed through the nine-month programme that focuses on accelerating technology within the offshore renewables industry.
It is designed to enhance the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, enable greater UK content and support cost reduction through innovation.
RWE Director of Engineering, Phillipa Slater, said: “RWE has one of the strongest offshore wind development pipelines in the world, and as such will need to be at the forefront of innovation, ensuring the company goes beyond the conventional and supports the drive for sustainability for itself and the broader offshore wind sector.
“Through our partnership with ORE Catapult for this year’s Launch Academy we have chosen three specific challenge themes that we see as having a real potential to make a difference while supporting innovation in the UK supply chain and playing a role in the commercialisation of a potential gamechanger.”