EnBW and bp are joining forces with leading R&D experts at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult to investigate the use of zero or low emission support vessels at offshore wind farms.
EnBW and bp are jointly developing three offshore wind projects in two UK locations – ‘Morven’, a potential 2.9GW lease area off the east coast of Scotland, and ‘Morgan’ and ‘Mona’ within a 3GW area in the Irish Sea. The windfarms will require maintenance support from Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) and Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs). This feasibility study will provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges associated with introducing new fuels into offshore wind SOVs and recommend appropriate technology developments and supply chain opportunities.
The four-month project will analyse infrastructure, current regulation, supply chains and technology such as internal combustion engines, fuel cells and batteries, and fuels such as biodiesel, electric and hydrogen, before providing recommendations for support vessels.
Lauren Hadnum, Clean Maritime Manager at ORE Catapult, said:
Richard Haydock, Project Director at UK offshore wind bp said:
Burkhard Roemhild, Project Manager at Morgan and Mona offshore wind projects EnBW, added:
The project will be led by EnBW and bp with the Clean Maritime team at ORE Catapult, and partners including the University of Strathclyde, the University of Edinburgh, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre.