The Offshore Renewable Energy-Catapult has ‘launched’ its 7MW demonstration
offshore wind turbine in Levenmouth, Fife.
Acquired by ORE-Catapult from Samsung Heavy Industries in December 2015, it
is the world’s most advanced, open access, offshore wind turbine dedicated
to research, and offers complementary opportunities for economic growth,
training and development of skills vital for the future of the offshore
wind industry.
Installed in October 2013, the turbine first became operational in March
2014 and is currently consented for operation until 2019.
Each blade measures 83.5 metres and weighs 30 tonnes – longer than the
wingspan of an Airbus A380 and weighing approximately the same as 15 family
cars.
Operating at full capacity, it could produce power for 4,800 homes. The
turbine measures 196 metres from blade tip to sea level, with a rotor
diameter of 171 metres – taller than the ‘gherkin building’ in London.
The turbine offers UK industry and academia an unrivalled opportunity to
develop a deeper understanding of a wide range of technologies as well as
the operations and maintenance aspects of offshore wind turbines, with the
ultimate goal of reducing the cost of energy.
ORE-Catapult is working closely with key academic and industry stakeholders
to align the research programme of the Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine
with industry priorities to drive cost reduction in offshore wind.
After attending the launch, Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said:
“Scotland’s research and development in renewables is unrivalled and the
Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine adds to Scotland’s extensive portfolio of
test facilities.
“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.
“I am also pleased to see that the local community will benefit from the
project through work with local schools and Fife College.”
Andrew Jamieson, Chief Executive, ORE Catapult, added: “The Levenmouth
Demonstration Turbine will play a major part in the development of future
technologies to lower the cost of offshore wind.
“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.”
Professor William Leithead is the Chair of the EPSRC Supergen Wind Hub, and
Director of the EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre for Wind and Marine Energy
Systems. He added:
“The Levenmouth turbine is a real game changer for the UK academic
community. Until now, we’ve lagged behind our European colleagues in not
having open access to a full-scale turbine that can be used to prove and
de-risk new research outputs and technologies.
“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.”
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