STORM ropes in cross-sector offshore energy developers

 
An Innovate UK-funded STORM project has set up a marine moorings masterclass for the representatives of offshore energy industry to encourage cross-sector collaboration in solving mooring systems challenges.

Led by Tension Technology International (TTI), the Specialised Thimbles for Offshore Renewable Marine energy (STORM) project has designed a new multi-material hybrid connector to aid the operation and lifespan of marine mooring systems.

As the project draws to a close, the STORM project partners – TTI, Brunel University London, Nylacast and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) – have invite representatives from the offshore wind, wave and tidal energy sectors to share their experiences and challenges in marine moorings.

The organizers of the event, to be held at Brunel University London on January 26, 2018, have encouraged the engagement with other, more established, offshore industries that use marine moorings – such as oil & gas, so that lessons learned can be transferred cross-sector.

Through discussing existing challenges and solutions, the marine moorings masterclass aims to identify the existing gaps and needs of the industry, encourage new partnerships to form and develop further R&D projects around moorings in order to tack this vital component within the offshore energy industry.

Nigel Briggs, STORM Project Manager at TTI, said: “Mooring systems are critical for the success of offshore floating renewable energy devices, which are constantly pushed to their extreme limits in high energy environments.

“The STORM project has designed a new multi-material hybrid connector which we want to share with the industry, but rather than simply focus on what we have done, we want to bring together moorings experts, offshore energy developers and supply chain companies to share common challenges and learning around marine mooring applications and experiences, and discuss the progress in developing, testing and operating solutions for this vital marine energy subsystem.

“By working together, and reducing duplication of effort on developing moorings solutions, marine energy developers can focus on the most vital aspect of marine energy technology development aiding there move towards commercialization.”

The free-to-attend event requires registration, the organizes have noted.