Shared innovation key to offshore collaboration

That is according to some trailblazing concepts discussed at the first of a series of events to encourage greater cross-sector collaboration and shared innovation between the offshore wind and gas industries in the Southern North Sea (SNS).

Johnathan Reynolds, business development lead at OrbisEnergy said the events had been designed to challenge conventional thinking.

“Our region is a major energy hub and it is extremely important to break down the barriers between the sectors and explore shared synergies and innovation from a supply chain perspective to reduce costs and improve efficiency,” he said.

Collaboration opportunities

The five new Offshore Wind Meet events have been designed to explore the synergies between sectors and the collaboration opportunities available, with the first of the breakfast seminars concentrating on oil and gas.

These events have been designed and delivered by OrbisEnergy with sponsorship and support from Innovate UK and SCORE.

At the first event held at OrbisEnergy offshore innovation centre, Lowestoft UK, the organisers joined forces with companies speaking about their ideas and technologies.

One idea coming out of the event was from Morten Basse, managing director of offshore wind specialist CREADIS UK. He said, from an engineering perspective, sensible optimisation needs to be in place before any further advancement including software technology, can be applied.

A focus needs to be put on to corrective maintenance and on developing a concept to reduce operational expenditure (OPEX) on turbines to increase efficiency, he said.

The next Offshore Wind Meet focusing on wave and tidal takes place on Wednesday 25 April also at the OrbisEnergy offshore innovation centre.

By Anne-Marie Causer