A platform designed to aid in the building and launching of floating wind turbines is being researched and tested with support from Marine-i.
Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i is designed to help the marine tech sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly grow through harnessing the full potential of research and innovation.
The innovative design has been created by TUGDOCK Ltd, which is based in Falmouth, Cornwall. The company has patented and produced a novel floating solution to lift structures for various uses. Lucas Lowe-Houghton, Director of Business Development for TUGDOCK, explains:
“The Floating Offshore Wind sector is growing fast worldwide, with enormous opportunities now emerging in the Celtic Sea and beyond. However, very few ports have sufficient water depth and assembly space to enable the commercialisation of these huge turbine floaters. TUGDOCK solves this problem. Our submersible platforms can operate in as little as 5 metres draft, enabling a more efficient construction. The platform is then towed to deeper water for launching of the turbines. Our platform is modular, easy to erect, and reusable. The TUGDOCK solution potentially means that a much larger number of UK ports could be involved in the fabrication of these structures, creating many new jobs.”
The next step for TUGDOCK is to carry out rigorous testing of a scale model of the platform. Marine-i is supporting this through grant funding and by providing access to leading-edge marine RD&I expertise and world-class testing facilities. Prof Lars Johanning of University of Exeter, lead partner for Marine-i, says:
“The development of floating offshore wind energy in the Celtic Sea is a huge opportunity for Cornwall and the South West. Enabling this technology to reach its full potential will require new thinking and innovative solutions from potential suppliers, just like those being proposed by TUGDOCK. We will be helping them to demonstrate the operational capability of the new platform, using the world class testing facilities at COAST Lab. We will also be researching the types of sites that the platform would be used in and how stable it will be in various sea conditions.”
Lucas Lowe-Houghton adds: “We are very grateful for this support from Marine-i. Having access to this level of research expertise will really help to accelerate the development of our unique technology, opening up a fast growing global market for us.”
Find out how Cornwall Trade and Investment can help your business.
Through the Transforming Cities Fund Workplace Travel Grants scheme funded by the Department for Transport, Plymouth City Council are offering match-funded capital grants of up to £25,000 per business in the Plymouth city region. This opportunity is for businesses within the Plymouth city region whose workforce commutes to and from Plymouth, or where the company […]
Oltco, the UK’s leading sustainable resin driveway company, is expanding its sustainable offering by switching from using plastic resin packaging to recyclable metal tins. This coincides with Oltco’s current innovative and award-winning sustainable resin driveway solution, Recycle Bound. With Oltco’s HQ based in Newquay, Directors Tom Stringer and Johnny Pearce, have always been aware of […]
A senior geologist, a metallurgist and a principal engineer have started work with the British Lithium Limited (BLL) team in Cornwall. Dr Robert Gruar, Dr Klass Peter Van Der Wielen and Robin Kelly are all experts in their respective fields – adding considerable depth of experience to an operation that is now moving at pace […]
Whether you’re looking to locate in Cornwall, or to start exporting beyond its borders, get in touch with our friendly team to talk through your needs.
