Wedoany.com Report-Feb 28, The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has announced an innovation call focusing on weather forecasting and improved designs for service operation vessels.

Successful applicants stand to win funding of up to £300,000 ($380,000), and may qualify for additional support developing project proposals and accessing further funding. They will alco gain access to EMEC’s test and demonstration sites.

EMEC is looking for applicants to present clear benefits to the West of Orkney Windfarm, as well as to the offshore wind sector and supply chain at large.

Also, applicants need to demonstrate clear innovative elements within the proposal to qualify.

According to EMEC, the innovation call is looking to address the following challenges:

Weather forecasting solutions that will allow better weather-sensitive operational decisions to be made during surveys, construction and operations and maintenance.

Service operation vessel (SOV) design for turbine access, increasing safety of personnel transfer operations while maximising opportunities for turbine access in exposed environments with persistent periods of high windspeeds and sea states.

The innovation call will close at 1pm on Wednesday 9 April 2025.

Abbie Sinclair, project manager for the R&I Programme at EMEC commented: “The Programme aims to accelerate innovation by tackling key technical challenges in offshore wind development, while strengthening the supply chain and delivering lasting economic benefits to Scotland.”

Stuart McAuley, project director at the at West of Orkney Windfarm, added: “Once our windfarm is built, it will remain operational for decades ahead so it is vital that we explore ways to access turbines as safely and effectively as possible.

“Understanding the weather will be key, and this call looks specifically at how we can utilise increasingly accurate weather forecasting to inform operational decision making, with safety the number one consideration.

“On the same theme, improving the design of service vessels opens up the potential for simpler and safer access for workers, with a solution that can be made available for wider benefit across the offshore wind industry.”

This innovation call is the second in a series offered by the £1 million ($1.3 million) Offshore Wind Research and Innovation (R&I) Programme, which is run by EMEC and sponsored by the West of Orkney Windfarm.