The demonstration turbine was acquired by ORE Catapult in 2015 from Samsung Heavy Industries.
Claimed to be the world’s most advanced, open access, offshore wind turbine dedicated to research for the global renewable energy industry, the turbine offers complementary opportunities for economic growth, training and development of skills.
ORE Catapult expects the demonstration turbine to play a vital role in the development of future technologies to reduce the offshore wind cost.
ORE Catapult CEO Andrew Jamieson said: "It offers opportunities for UK supply chain and technology development and, sitting so prominently at the heart of the Levenmouth communities, it is vital that the turbine also plays a role in locally developing and supporting the next generation of Scottish engineers, who will ensure that Fife enjoys a bright future thanks to renewable energy."
The research centre will work with academic and industry stakeholders to develop wide range of technologies as well as the operations and maintenance aspects of offshore wind turbines.
Scottish Government Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism Fergus Ewing said: "The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult will work with the offshore wind sector, Skills Development Scotland and the Energy Skills Partnership to ensure the knowledge is transferred to industry to help it develop our offshore wind resources, some of the best in the world."
The team will also align the turbine research program with industry priorities to reduce cost in offshore wind industry.
EPSRC Supergen Wind Hub chair professor William Leithead said: "The Levenmouth turbine is a real game changer for the UK academic community.
"Access to the Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine will make it possible to position the Scottish, and wider UK academic research community, right at the heart of European wind research, funding opportunities and technology development."
Image: The 7MW Levenmouth demonstration turbine in the UK. Photo: courtesy of Matthew Kelly/ Offshore Renewable Energy.
