Scottish Trio Gains Access to Levenmouth Offshore Wind Demo Turbine

Three Scottish innovators are testing sensor technology that could be deployed on offshore wind farms on the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s Levenmouth offshore wind demonstration turbine in Fife.

The programme, supported by GBP 220,000 funding from the Scottish Government, is the fourth project to feature in a series of case studies showcasing British companies developing solutions that will support growth in the offshore wind, wave and tidal sectors – and bolster the UK supply chain.

Turner Iceni, Sensor-works and Hydrasun are among nine companies from 30 that responded to an ORE Catapult competition to develop their sensor technology for offshore wind and prove it in real-world conditions.

Glasgow’s Turner Iceni and Livingston-based start-up Sensor-works have joined forces to validate their technology on the turbine, using a combination of low-energy Bluetooth sensors and algorithms to predict and prevent equipment failures.

“Accessing a working offshore wind turbine to help validate or develop new technology isn’t a simple task – and that can be a costly barrier to innovation. We are grateful to ORE Catapult and the Scottish Government and for recognising our potential as a game changer and giving us this opportunity,” David Hatfield, Turner Iceni’s General Manager, said.

Hydrasun, meanwhile, is aiming to validate its globally patented Intelligent Condition Monitoring System, developed for the oil and gas sector, for use on wind turbines as it aims to build its renewables’ portfolio.

“These three companies have developed technology that could be game-changing for the offshore renewables sector, allowing operators to remotely monitor wind turbines that are far offshore and potentially saving significant costs and downtime,” Peter Macdonald, Head of Engineering at ORE Catapult, said.