29 August 2024
The South West of the UK, especially the Celtic Sea, plays a vital role in the nation’s offshore wind capabilities. The University of Exeter, known for its expertise in Wave and Tidal Energy and Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW), is a driving force in achieving the ambitious targets set for 4.4 GW by 2035 and 12 GW by 2045.
In collaboration with esteemed institutions like the Universities of Plymouth, Edinburgh, Strathclyde, and Swansea, Exeter is helping fuel innovation in this area.
The University of Exeter is unwavering in its commitment to advancing FLOW systems, addressing industry challenges, and nurturing creativity. By developing a skilled workforce and leveraging research expertise, the University is propelling the UK towards the ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 through sustainable offshore wind energy.
The University’s work on FLOW focuses on crucial areas such as moorings, operations and maintenance, resource modelling, component testing, engineering and system reliability, as well as energy transmission and storage.
A standout initiative is the University’s Offshore Renewable Energy Group. They have created tools for a comprehensive lifecycle analysis of renewable energy systems. They have also established connections between local, regional, and national energy supply and demand to guide and strengthen energy planning.
Furthermore, the University’s environmental impact and biodiversity research delves into marine ecology, specifically the interaction between marine installations and animals. The University excels in comprehending the negative and positive impacts of offshore renewable energy assets, with a particular focus on the net benefits to biodiversity and carbon.