Aberdeen-based Hydro Group has picked up £1million in funding to research subsea equipment for the offshore renewables industry.
The firm, exhibiting at All-Energy, says the cash, which will be used to help develop and produce a new 33kV hybrid subsea connector for offshore renewable-energy projects, will help it to increase its £6.5million turnover by 20% in five years.
Hydro Group, which designs and manufactures underwater cables and connectors for subsea and onshore use, was awarded the cash by the European Commission’s Research Executive Agency.
Managing director Doug Whyte said: “As subsea technology has evolved connections are made at much greater depths under significant hydrostatic pressure.
“They are expected to engage and disengage underwater and to operate reliably, but currently they are restricted to a maximum power rating of 11kV.
“The new design will increase system longevity and ultimately benefit health and safety while reducing costs for operators.”
The new connector would also have a remote monitoring system it is hoped would need less intervention from divers.