The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has joined forces with the Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) to form a cross-sector research and development programme aimed at helping the UK hit its 2050 net zero emissions target.
The pair have launched a five-year collaboration called the Energy Transition Alliance (ETA), which will work on new technologies including floating offshore wind and green hydrogen.
“Floating offshore wind in particular is an area of massive potential, and the oil and gas industry’s extensive experience of operating in the marine environment for many decades can be the enabler that ensures that the UK not only delivers a complete energy transition, but also a sustainable, world-leading green energy industry,” said OREC chief executive Andrew Jamieson.
ETA has already launched its first five projects.
One project aims to reduce the cost of floating turbine foundations by up to 30% while another is looking to reduce the size and cost of HVDC conversion technology.
Another scheme is looking to develop a solution for the cost-effective recycling and re-processing of wind turbine blades.
The R&D venture said it will also carry out a study to help maximise the UK supply chain’s role in the production, installation and decommissioning of offshore renewables.
A final project is meanwhile looking to help the oil and gas industry tackle high CO2 emissions from operational offshore platforms by reducing the cost of powering offshore fields from shore.
“Technology, innovation and a willingness to work cross-sector will be essential if we are to successfully deliver on our net zero goal,” said OGTC chief executive Colette Cohen.
CO2 produced from operating offshore oil and gas platforms makes up 2% of the UK’s emissions, ETA said.
“Collaboration across the energy sector will be essential to achieving our climate goals, and it is great to see the Energy Transition Alliance working towards developing new technologies, creating green jobs and helping the transition to a cleaner future,” said UK Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, Kwasi Kwarteng.
Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said ETA’s work will maximise the economic benefits from renewables and support long-term sustainable jobs.
“The technologies supported by the Alliance will boost digitalisation and automation and accelerate North Sea decarbonisation as well as supporting Scotland’s aspirations for offshore wind and floating wind,” he said.