Frimley, 2013-Oct-16
Scale model of topside and barge during wave tank modeling demo for Siemens at Newcastle University
Siemens the world leader in offshore wind energy solutions is collaborating with the
Newcastle University and offshore specialist ALE in an innovative offshore R&D
programme. Focused on ensuring the future energy transmission needs of the
offshore wind industry are met effectively, wave tank modeling is part of the wider
Offshore Platform Reference Design (AC and HVDC) project which sits within the
Wind Innovation Programme managed by Narec, the Blyth-based National
Renewable Energy Centre. The project is supported by the Government’s Regional
Growth Fund (RGF) initiative.
The UK is one of the world’s leading markets for offshore wind energy and has one
of the most ambitious development programmes to date in the Crown Estate’s
Round Three offshore programme. The size and scale of the offshore
programme together with the need for deployment further out to sea than ever
before (up to 80kms), will require much more robust offshore substation designs and
a foolproof platform installation strategy.
Utilising its resources and vast experience in offshore grid interconnection projects,
Siemens is developing an AC reference platform design, and an initial
HVDC reference platform design to kick start its multi-million Euro R&D project for
full reference design. Siemens needed partners with the right kind of expertise to
work together to ensure that the UK industry is prepared for the deployment and
installation of these huge offshore structures. Newcastle University and ALE will
support Siemens in conducting motion analyses of the platform during installation, in
a wave tank environment using scale models developed for the project.
Steve Jones, director – Engineering and Technology Siemens Power Transmission
said:
”The wave tank project is really leading-edge R&D and something that we have
been using in Siemens along with other methodologies to test these structures. In
looking at the UK, where we play a lead role in the offshore industry, we were keen
to work with local partners who could compliment our in-house expertise. The
University of Newcastle and Staffordshire based ALE were perfect choices, enabling
us to leverage experts from both our Manchester and Newcastle offices on this key
project.”
The wave tank project aims to de-risk the overall deployment of offshore HVDC
transmission projects by targeting three elements of the process; AC and HVDC
platform designs, HVDC platform installation, and sub-sea cable procurement
strategy. It is hoped that improving the overall deployment process, in partnership
with UK/European design and construction companies will greatly increase the
ability of Siemens in the UK and local partners to compete with overseas providers
and create jobs and skills in the longer term.
Peter Bowes, facilities manager, School of Marine Science and Technology at
Newcastle University said:
“Newcastle University’s expertise and state-of-the-art extensive testing facilities are
well placed to support Siemens in addressing the practical challenges presented in
the developing the deployment of Topside structures in the North Sea and helping to
validate and inform computer simulations. Such strategic interactions inform our
teaching and research in this area, which will ensure that the excellent employability
record for our graduates will continue to be maintained into the future.”
Alan Waggott, chief engineer, Narec said:
“Narec is delighted to see this project entering the test and demonstration phase; it
is playing a pivotal role in preparing the industry for the deployment and installation
of HVDC platforms”
“The project is one of six projects being managed by Narec which is involved in the
Government’s RGF Wind Innovation Programme, focused on supporting investment
and economic growth in the UK offshore wind industry.”
Contact for journalists:
Siemens plc
Rachel Odams, tel: 07808 824209
E-mail: rachel.odams@siemens.com
For further information and press pictures, please see: www.siemens.co.uk/press
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Siemens plc
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 170 years ago and now employs around 13,520 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £3.2 billion*. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry, infrastructure & cities and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit
www.siemens.co.uk
* Data includes intercompany revenue. Data may not be comparable with revenue reported in annual or interim reports.
RGF Wind Innovation Programme
The £11 million RGF Wind Innovation Programme initiated and managed by Narec, which includes match funding from the private sector to the order of £5 million, is delivering a total of six major technology projects (Romax Technology Ltd, University of Sheffield, TWI, HVPD, David Brown Gear Systems Ltd and Siemens Transmission and Distribution Ltd) that are addressing key technical challenges associated with the offshore wind supply chain. The programme is expected to create or safeguard in the region of 750 jobs with further employment opportunities expected to follow.
Regional Growth Fund (RGF)
The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a £2.6 billion fund operating across England from 2011 to 2016. It supports projects and programmes that use private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment. The first three rounds allocated £2.4 billion which will leverage over £13 billion of private sector investment and create or safeguard over 500,000 jobs. The RGF is a flexible and competitive fund, with bidders able to submit bids either as a project or a programme.
