Conference hears how floating offshore wind could be a game-changer for the South West

Professor Deborah Greaves OBE addressed business and regional leaders at the event in Plymouth
Extreme Loading on Floating Offshore Wind Turbine under Complex Environmental Conditions

The potential expansion of floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the South West, a University of Plymouth academic has told a conference in Plymouth.
Professor Deborah Greaves OBE FREng highlighted that the region is in an almost unique position of having natural resources off its coast that can be used to drive the clean energy revolution, but also the expertise and facilities on land to best harness them.
She also said that the University is ready and willing to work with businesses of all sizes to enable them to develop and deploy the innovative technology needed to ensure the FLOW visions become a reality.
Professor Greaves, Director of the University’s Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy and the national Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub, was speaking at an event organised by Plymouth City Council in partnership with Celtic Sea Power Ltd.

The development of floating offshore wind off the coasts of Devon and Cornwall presents an unprecedented opportunity for the South West. It also forms the backbone of the Government’s future plans for energy generation and net zero, so it is critical that we develop the technological solutions we need and also get every sector of society on board. Our previous research has shown the advances being made with the technology, and what will be needed to continue that pace of development. We have also shown how best to position the floating platforms within the ocean so as not to cause environmental harm, both to the seabed and the species living along our coasts. Having worked with the region’s marine businesses over many years, we know there are companies ready to take advantage of the expansion in floating offshore wind. By building on those partnerships, and developing new ones, we can ensure Plymouth and the whole South West benefits from the clean energy revolution.

Deborah Greaves OBE FREngDeborah Greaves OBE FREng
Professor in Ocean Engineering

Held in The Box, the conference was designed to provide Plymouth businesses with updates on the FLOW development in the Celtic Sea, with the Crown Estate expected to open the next leasing round for developments in the very near future.
It also aimed to make businesses aware of the support available locally and, to that end, Professor Greaves highlighted how the University’s expertise and facilities could be used by businesses when they are researching and developing new innovations.
This includes: the UK Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Test facility, housed within the COAST Laboratory; a Maritime Simulation Laboratory complete with a state-of-the-art Dynamic Positioning Simulator; and a Cyber-SHIP Lab, where maritime innovations can be tested for their cyber resilience.
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Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy
Celtic Sea floating offshore wind

Floating offshore wind solutions for Celtic Sea developers
Close-up wave

Marine Institute