Offshore Wind Charge Station

Turbulent Simulations is working with project partners including vessel designers, manufacturers and operators, as well as the ORE Catapult and 'Industry Advisers' including Vattenfall Networks, the Workboat Association and Equinor. Our aim is to address a clear market demand for a system that can provide offshore charging and possibly also alternative fuelling (hydrogen / ammonia) capability for vessels servicing offshore wind farms. We plan to undertake an extensive engagement with industry to better understand the operational requirements and to address the various barriers before determining the details of an innovative offshore charging solution that will see a vessel used to host batteries and other storage technologies which can take power from the windfarm at times of low demand from national grid and then provide power to vessels when needed. The system will be fully automated with fully integrated digital recognition, metering and communications systems between the power vessel, the wind farm, shore-based operations centres and operational vessels in the field. This combination of digital systems and autonomous operations development and integration is where the unique and inimitable value in the project and ultimate commercial offer will be created and is where the expertise and experience of Turbulent Simulations will be brought to bear on the innovation process alongside the vessel design capability of AMC and the power systems capability and experience of MJR. Durin phase 1 of the project we will undertake feasibility to refine the proposal before pursuing a full scale design, development and demonstration with support of funding from phase 2 of SBRI. Between them, these three UK SMEs will develop a novel innovation with the potential to radically alter maritime logistics and unleash the potential of the UK's nascent clean maritime sector whilst supporting the decarbonisation ambitions of the offshore wind sector.