The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) awarded £2.3m to three companies tp reduce costs and propel growth in the offshore wind sector.
High Voltage Partial Discharge (HVPD), JDR Cable Systems and Principle Power are the companies that secured the funding under the Offshore Wind Component Technologies Development and Demonstration scheme.
The scheme is a joint initiative of the DECC and Technology Strategy Board’s (TSB) while the funds were allocated under its £5m second call.
Energy and Climate Change minister Greg Barker commented that this funding will further allow the companies to advance their new designs and ultimately help UK to harness more power from offshore wind turbines.
HVPD’s project comprises the development of an integrated offshore high voltage network management system (OHVMS) for windfarms.
JDR would develop and build innovative HVAC cables, while Principle Power will create the design and serial manufacturing process for innovative WindFloat floating foundations for wind turbines.
The DECC has also now annouced the scheme’s fourth call for £4m.
Innovation in offshore wind is expected to improve efficiency and potentially cut costs of offshore wind by 25% by 2020 and 60% by 2050.