Turbine research access to widen

Greater access is to be given to Fife’s world-leading offshore demonstration turbine following a £920,000 cash injection.

A Scottish Government grant of £460,000 is being match funded by Ore Catapult, the operator of the 7MW former Samsung Heavy Industries turbine at the foreshore at Methil.

The new funding will be used to widen out the existing test programme at the turbine to allow more companies the chance to test out next-generation wind power technologies in real-life.

Part of the cash will also be spent on establishing a new lidar (laser-based radar) facility, and the creation of a virtual windfarm test environment.

The project sponsors hope it will give Scottish companies an edge in developing technology and services for the new wave of offshore wind developments.

It is possible some of the technology developed at Methil could eventually be deployed in the proposed new Inch Cape, Seagreen and Neart Na Gaoithe wind arrays in the outer firths of Forth and Tay.

Chris Hill, who is the Ore Catapult operational performance director, said: “The Levenmouth Turbine offers an unrivalled opportunity to position Scotland and the UK at the heart of European wind research.

“Providing a unique testing environment for new technologies, and using real-world data from the operation of the turbine, will help us develop a deeper understanding of the operations and maintenance aspects of offshore wind turbines.

“This will significantly help to develop the skills and experience that is critical to the future growth of the industry and its continuing efforts to reduce costs.” The project has industry support. “Replacing on-site met masts with lidar and floating lidar technologies can significantly reduce development and operational costs,” Alan Mortimer of energy service giant Wood Group said.

“We are keen to see the testing and validation of these technologies accelerated to improve their industry uptake.

“Using the Levenmouth Turbine to do this will ensure Scotland plays a central role in the development of this vital technology.”

Picture: Kris Miller. The Ore Catapult facility at Levenmouth.