Romax, University of Sheffield to Open Drivetrain R&D Centre (UK)

The National Renewable Energy Centre, Narec, following its successful second round Regional Growth Fund (RGF), Wind Innovation Programme bid, is helping to sustain the UK’s leading position in the offshore wind sector by bringing together offshore market leaders with world-class technology providers and academia in the UK to develop and commercialise new technologies.

Romax Technology, one of six research and development projects to be awarded financial support from the RGF Wind Innovation Programme, is collaborating with the University of Sheffield to expand and deepen its knowledge of the complete electro-mechanical drivetrain. An R&D Centre will be officially opened on Thursday 13^th June 2013 within the University of Sheffield Electrical Machines and Drives Group to focus on the development of its mechanical and electrical machine capability.

The Centre will focus on the development of tools such as the company’s flagship product Designer for wind, and new products CAD FUSION, Dynamic FUSION and CONCEPT that offer further design, development optimisation and analysis of drivetrains. These tools will improve the simulation and analysis of electrical and mechanical systems, helping to optimise efficiency, improve reliability and reduce costs associated with wind turbine drivetrains.

Romax Techology CEO, Dr Poon said: “The creation of the Romax R&D Centre, as part of the support received from the RGF, is very timely and a great addition to the group’s research activities. The Centre will enable us to conduct vital electromechanical drivetrain research for wind turbines to achieve higher efficiencies and reliability with reduced capital and running costs. It will also allow us to adopt a holistic approach, taking into consideration the interactions between all the mechanical and electrical drivetrain components.”

The £11 million 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.

Tony Ikwue, Innovation and Corporate Developer Director at Narec, said: “Narec was thrilled that its RGF bid was successful and is now involved in the operation and management of these six projects.

“We created this programme to bring together the strengths of engineering companies and academic institutions in the North of England, to create new products and services that will lead to economic growth and employment.  The six projects selected will see innovative new products being developed to provide solutions to some of the major technical and cost challenges that affect deployment of offshore renewable energy.  The wider supply chain is also set to benefit from these projects, with knowhow and technology transfer opportunities for companies seeking to enter the offshore renewable energy sector.” 

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Press release, June 7, 2013; Image: Romax Technology