New Norwegian research centre to have offshore wind focus

The NorthWind research centre aims to be at the cutting edge, working on innovations to make wind power cheaper, more efficient, and more sustainable. One of the centre’s main priorities will be research into offshore wind.

“Rapid growth in offshore wind internationally offers great opportunities for Norwegian businesses,” said Ms Bru.

“Research and development is crucial to reduce costs, reduce environmental impact and develop improved operating models for projects.

“I believe a long-term research centre with industry partners, the research community and government will further the development of offshore wind in Norway.”

NorthWind will bring together more than 50 partners from research institutions and industry all around the world. It will be led by the research institute SINTEF, with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute and University of Oslo.

SINTEF chief executive Alexandra Bech Gjørv said, “The centre’s innovations will benefit Norwegian industry and the world at large.

“Offshore wind has the potential to meet the world’s electricity needs many times over and innovations reducing costs will help bring this renewable energy to market even faster.”

The centre will draw on Norwegian research and the offshore industry’s long-standing expertise.

NorthWind will be financed by the Norwegian government through the Research Council of Norway.

Associated partners included DTU, TNO, Fraunhofer, University of Strathclyde, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and North China Electric Power University.

Industry partners include: 4Subsea, ABB, Aker Offshore Wind, Amon, Aibel, Baker Hughes, Cognite, DNV-GL, Dr Techn Olav Olsen, DOF Subsea Norway, EDR Medeso, Energi Norge, Energy Innovation, Equinor, Esvagt, Finnmark Kraft, Force Technology Norway, Fred Olsen Renewables, Fugro, GFMS, Hafslund Eco, Havyard Design & Solutions, Hitachi ABB Power Grids, Impello, Kongsberg Maritime, Lundin Energy Norway, Lloyd’s Register, Nexans Norway, NKT, National Oilwell Varco Norway, Norwegian Energy Partners, Norconsult, NorSea Group, the Norwegian Offshore Wind Cluster, RENERGY cluster, SAP Norway, Sogn og Fjordane Energi, Statkraft, Store Norske Spitsbergen, Kullkompani, Sval Energi, Trønder Energi Kraft, Vard Design and Windcluster Norway.