Norwegian energy major Equinor and Norway’s marine research organisation SINTEF are to collaborate to develop innovative solutions for the offshore wind and floating wind markets
The purpose of the agreement between them is to facilitate the exchange and development of ideas and radical solutions between the two partners. The companies will collaborate on projects that can create value and help Equinor transition to becoming a broad energy company.
Equinor senior vice president of research and technology Sophie Hildebrand said, “Equinor and SINTEF have a long history together, but we must continue to look ahead. With this agreement, we can quickly achieve results in areas that are important for the energy transition.”
Equinor and SINTEF are already collaborating on floating wind and have collaborated in this area for many years, since tests were first carried out on Equinor’s Hywind floating wind technology at SINTEF’s ocean basin laboratory in 2005.
Looking forward, Equinor hopes working with SINTEF will enable the development of technology that will make future projects cheaper, more efficient and more predictable. Among other things, the two partners will look at anchoring systems for the turbines, maintenance, control systems and grid connection, but in addition to improving the Hywind concept, the two partners will examine other concepts for floating wind.
SINTEF president and chief executive Alexandra Bech Gjørv said, “This agreement is about more than just a collaboration within Norway’s borders. It is about strengthening our global position in areas where Norway has a strong natural and technological advantage. Norway is an energy and maritime nation and could become one of the biggest players in sustainable energy from the ocean.”
In addition to offshore wind, other areas where Equinor and SINTEF will collaborate include: marine systems, including marine structures, anchoring, risers and underwater pipelines, underwater technology, underwater robotics, safety and the environment; energy systems and the development of renewable energy, including storage; and modelling studies related to the above-mentioned.
The duration of the agreement is four years, but it can be extended for another four years.
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