Funding backs collaboration to improve offshore wind power technology

Magnetic gear manufacturer Magnomatics has teamed up with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) to drive productivity improvements in offshore renewable energy generation using smart robotics and automation.

The business has won funding from an offshore wind supply chain support programme to help solve the challenge of robotic placement of large rotor magnets on wind turbines.

The Sheffield-based university spin out is one of seven UK companies awarded funding from the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) to carry out supply chain improvement projects for offshore wind power.

It is working with engineers from the Integrated Manufacturing Group at the University of Sheffield AMRC to deliver the ambitious ROBOMAG project.

Dr Lloyd Tinkler, senior project engineer at IMG, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to support Magnomatics in increasing production rates to capitalise on demand for offshore wind generation, by automating the task of manipulating high-strength permanent magnets.

“A clear benefit of this would be the elimination of any potential trapping hazard when manually placing the magnets as they snap into position.”

Matt Bacon, AMRC project manager for SMEs, added: “This is a tremendous opportunity for the AMRC to work with a globally recognised SME to help realise and de-risk automated processes for magnetic hub placement to facilitate the growth of wind turbine manufacture.”

Already, offshore wind powers the equivalent of 4.5 million homes annually and is set to power more than 30% of British electricity by 2030.

Magnomatics develops and manufactures products for a range of industries, from hybrid and electric vehicles to marine propulsion, aerospace, rail, and oil and gas.

David Latimer, chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted with the funding from the OWGP. Magnomatics has secured strong commercial interest in our technology for offshore wind. This project is all about developing the processes and methods to help anchor the manufacturing in Sheffield City Region and the UK.”

The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership is a key part of the joint government-industry Offshore Wind Sector Deal announced in 2018, funded by the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC).

Andrew Macdonald, Offshore Wind Growth Partnership programme director, said: “This was a very competitive process and we received a high number of quality applications, totalling almost £2m in project costs, demonstrating the huge opportunities to maximise the economic benefits of our world-leading position in offshore wind.

“The OWGP is committed to delivering increased productivity and competitiveness that will drive increased UK content into offshore windfarms in the rapidly growing global market, as well as in the UK.”

Halfdan Brustad, Offshore Wind Industry Council sponsor for the partnership, said: “On behalf of OWIC, I am delighted to see these contracts awarded by the OWGP.

“Utilising the funding provided by OWIC members, the OWGP has been able to identify an exciting range of projects from UK companies which merit support and investment. Activities undertaken by the OWGP, such as through these Pilot Calls, are important opportunities to support the growth of the UK supply chain and to help us deliver on our ambitions under the Offshore Wind Sector Deal. I look forward to seeing the outputs from all seven companies.”

Other companies successful in winning were: Cedeco, Global Energy Group and W3G Marine, while Cognitive Business, Sennen Tech and Smart Component Technologies will work to develop advanced sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) and communications solutions for offshore wind.

Cedeco is working with the National Composite Centre in Bristol and Global Energy Group has joined forces with the Nuclear AMRC in Rotherham.