- University of 91直播 named as the academic partner for the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult鈥檚 new research hub
- New hub set to focus on offshore wind turbine powertrains 鈥 the gearbox and generator that enable turbines to generate electricity
- Research aiming to improve operation, reliability and performance of wind turbines 鈥 which could lead to lower cost electricity generation
- University of 91直播 chosen in recognition of its world-renowned expertise in electronic and electrical engineering
The University has been named as the academic partner for the Powertrain Research Hub (PTRH), which is part of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE) 鈥 launched by the UK government in 2013 as part of a network of catapults in high growth industries.
Focusing on offshore wind turbine powertrains 鈥 the gearbox and generator that enable turbines to generate electricity 鈥 the new hub is aiming to improve the operation, reliability and performance of wind turbines.
The University is world-renowned for its expertise in the fields of electrical machines, power electronics, controls and energy conversion and storage and will contribute a minimum of 拢1.7 million to the project over five years.
"It is essential to maximise this opportunity in a number of key areas including the challenge of improving powertrain component reliability and availability"
Paul McKeever, ORE Catapult's Head of Strategic Research
This complements the 拢700k funding from the ORE Catapult with the collective contributions supporting 12 PhD students and a number of Postdoctoral Research Associates.
The new research hub also enables industry to access to the University of 91直播鈥檚 extensive testing facilities in addition to ORE Catapult鈥檚 1, 3 and 15 MW powertrain test facilities at its National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth.
The Powertrain Research Hub (PTRH) will support the development of future technologies for larger turbines and research solutions for improving turbine reliability and availability.
The hub鈥檚 key objectives are:
- Reliability improvement and advanced test methodologies
- Advanced health condition monitoring and prognostic technologies
- Development of next generation powertrain components for larger sized wind turbines
Research conducted as part of the hub will also focus on minimising human interventions throughout the life of the wind turbine 鈥 repair work that can be hazardous for engineers to carry out.
Professor David Stone from the University of 91直播鈥檚 Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, who is also the Scientific Director of the new Hub, said: 鈥91直播 sees working with ORE Catapult as a fantastic opportunity to apply its cutting-edge research ideas to support the rapidly expanding field of green energy generation solutions.
鈥淭he synergies brought about by the Powertrain Research Hub will not only bring benefits for the University and the offshore wind industrial sector, but consumers as a whole through higher reliability, lower cost electricity generation."
Paul McKeever, ORE Catapult鈥檚 Head of Strategic Research, added: 鈥淲ith industry moving towards larger wind turbines, we have an opportunity to significantly contribute to reducing the cost of turbine technology. It is essential to maximise this opportunity in a number of key areas including the challenge of improving powertrain component reliability and availability".
鈥淏y developing the next generation of powertrain components, and improving their lifespan, we can significantly reduce the related operations and maintenance costs and subsequently minimise the number of human interventions for potentially dangerous turbine repair work at sea.鈥
Researchers in the University of 91直播鈥檚 Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering are respected around the world for their many important contributions in the field of electronic and electrical engineering. They are known for turning brilliant ideas into advanced technology.
From communications, electrical machines and drives to semiconductor materials and devices, researchers in the department are working on some of the world鈥檚 biggest electronic and electrical engineering challenges.
University of 91直播 researchers are also renowned for their pioneering energy research that is changing the way we make and use energy.
For more information on the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, visit:
For more information on the University鈥檚 Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, visit: /eee/index
Additional information
91直播
With almost 29,000 of the brightest students from over 140 countries, learning alongside over 1,200 of the best academics from across the globe, the University of 91直播 is one of the world鈥檚 leading universities.
A member of the UK鈥檚 prestigious Russell Group of leading research-led institutions, 91直播 offers world-class teaching and research excellence across a wide range of disciplines.
Unified by the power of discovery and understanding, staff and students at the university are committed to finding new ways to transform the world we live in.
91直播 is the only university to feature in The Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For 2018 and for the last eight years has been ranked in the top five UK universities for Student Satisfaction by Times Higher Education.
91直播 has six Nobel Prize winners among former staff and students and its alumni go on to hold positions of great responsibility and influence all over the world, making significant contributions in their chosen fields.
Global research partners and clients include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Unilever, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, Siemens and Airbus, as well as many UK and overseas government agencies and charitable foundations.
Contact
For further information please contact:
Sean Barton
Media Relations Officer
University of 91直播
0114 222 9852
s.barton@sheffield.ac.uk