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Major progress for revolutionary offshore charging system
MJR Power & Automation
Construction and in-house testing have now been successfully completed on a ground-breaking offshore wind on-turbine electrical vessel charging system that is set to revolutionise the offshore wind sector.
MJR Power and Automation, based in the UK, has announced that it has made monumental progress with the development of its innovative solution – following the company receiving government funding to fast-track development – and is now looking at the first installation offshore to take place later this year.
Set to be the world’s first offshore wind vessel charging system demonstrated in the field with energy delivered direct from the wind turbine, the flagship project secured funding as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
This has seen MJR lead a consortium of partners – Ore Catapult; Xceco; Artemis Technologies and Tidal Transit – each with expertise in their given field.
The charge points will enable all electric crew transfer vessels and other offshore support vessels to connect in the field to a 100% green energy source generated directly by the offshore wind turbines for the efficient, safe and reliable transfer of power.
This innovation will break down the existing range barriers and increase the uptake by vessel owners and operators with transition to fully electric and green propulsion systems, for retrofit and new build vessels. In combination with other field proven technologies, the charging system will be an important part for government and offshore wind owners and operators, to achieve their net zero maritime operations targets, and switch away from fossil fuels. The ability to charge when in the field, will significantly accelerate adoption of current emission free propulsion system which will be a major asset for the decarbonisation of the global maritime sector.
“We are delighted with the progress we have made with the design and build of this project, with all in-house testing being very successful,” says Paul Cairns, managing director at MJR Power and Automation. “It’s a huge achievement that we have been able to fast-track this project, in only a matter of months – thanks to the support of our consortium partners – to get in the position that we are in now, with installation being imminent. Our system will be absolutely crucial in helping governments to deliver on their net zero carbon targets.”