DONG Energy is to sponsor a new renewable energy chair at Durham University for the next eight years.
The Danish company says the funding will strengthen its commitment to fostering renewable energy research and development in the UK.
The sponsorship also includes DONG Energy’s funding of a full scholarship (taught or research) at the university for a masters degree student each academic year.
At the Durham signing last month, Professor Phil Taylor was named as the first holder of the chair.
Prof Taylor will be replaced in his current teaching position at Durham University once he takes up his new position.
Peter Gedbjerg, vice-president for DONG Energy Power UK, said at the milestone event: “The UK is aiming to vastly increase the amount of offshore wind generation it has in the next decade, which means building faster and further from shore.
“There are still challenges in deeper waters for wind.
“As one of the big players in offshore wind, DONG Energy must be active and at the forefront of ensuring that we develop the new technologies required.
“DONG Energy’s sponsorship of this chair will help the UK to realise its ambitions.”
DONG has already invested £2.5billion in offshore wind in the UK, and has a further 1,400MW (megawatts) of offshore wind farms planned or in construction.
The chair will carry out research and teaching to contribute to establishing, strengthening and maintaining technical collaboration between DONG, its own researchers and those in other groups and universities.
Prof Taylor said: “DONG Energy’s long-term commitment to renewable energy is further emphasised by their sponsoring of this position, which will help Durham Energy Institute (DEI) maximise the potential of all our strands of research into renewables.”
Prof Taylor’s expertise focuses on the challenges associated with the widespread integration and control of distributed generation in electrical distribution networks.
He also has significant industrial experience as an electrical engineer.
There are currently 50 postgraduates undertaking a research training programme in energy at Durham Energy Institute.
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