Energy services group SeaEnergy has struck a partnership with Robert Gordon University to develop an operational costs and maintenance model for offshore windfarms.
The knowledge transfer partnership, which has been supported by the technology strategy board, aims to bring down the potential £50billion cost for maintenance of the UK’s offshore windfarm fleet.
“SeaEnergy is delighted to begin working in partnership with RGU to develop this innovative O&M model which will lead the way on cost reduction for the offshore wind industry,” said SeaEnergy chief executive John Aldersey-Williams.
The move comes just a day after the world’s second-largest offshore windfarm was opened off the coast of Suffolk.
Last week the Government published its Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, setting out investment plans to help grow the UK’s wind industry over the next few years.
RGU’s Sean Huff, from the Aberdeen Business School, will be lead academic on the project as the partnership looks to develop an operational and economic model for reducing costs in the development and running of farms around the country’s coast.
“This RGU-SeaEnergy partnership is an outstanding opportunity to play an integral part in spurring innovation and driving down costs for the offshore wind industry in the UK,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to applying RGU’s exceptionally diverse resources on this project.”
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