Three companies in the UK have been awarded funding under a £5 million UK government scheme designed to boost technology development in the offshore wind energy sector.
Three companies in the UK have been awarded funding under a £5 million UK government scheme designed to boost technology development in the offshore wind energy sector.
High Voltage Partial Discharge (HVPD) Ltd., JDR Cable Systems and Principle Power are sharing £2.3 million of funding, while further winners under the scheme are expected to be announced later in 2013, said the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
The Offshore Wind Component Technologies Development and Demonstration scheme aims to fund novel ideas and technologies that will help to cut costs and drive growth in the offshore wind energy sector.
The latest funding awards were made under the second funding round of the scheme and will enable Manchester-based HVPD to develop an integrated offshore high voltage network management system for wind farms. JDR Cable Systems will develop and build innovative HVAC cables, while Principle Power will develop the design and serial manufacturing process for innovative floating foundations for wind turbines.
"This £2.3 million will give three more companies the boost they need to take their innovative designs to the next level, helping cut costs in offshore wind generation, and ultimately helping us harness more power from turbines out at sea," said Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker, who also announced the launch of a fourth round of funding worth £4 million.
The £7 million third round of funding under this scheme was launched in November 2012 and winners will be announced in 2013, said DECC.