Bristol based technology company Sennen has been selected by EDF Renewables, a major renewable energy player, to deliver a software system that will improve the operational efficiency and safety of its global offshore wind projects.
The new technology will enable EDF Renewables to manage operations across its international portfolio notably in France and United Kingdom, using one centralised system. This multi-site capability is crucial to EDF Renewables as it continues to expand its portfolio.
The Sennen system will power the control room for the wind farms, maximising the use of valuable technicians and vessels while ensuring safe working. It will allow EDF Renewables to plan ahead and respond to real time data so the team can make informed decisions without delay. It also means the performance of each wind farm can be closely monitored.
Sennen’s multi-site capability, which was crucial to the contract win, was developed as a result of funding from the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP), which awarded the company £40,000 in grant funding last year.
The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) is a long-term business transformation programme that has been established as part of the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal. Funded by members of the Offshore Wind Industry Council with a budget of £100M over 10 years and delivered by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, OWGP supports the growth of UK businesses looking to capitalise on the huge opportunities offered by the global offshore wind sector.
Paul Grimshaw, chief technology officer at Sennen, said: “Our sophisticated technology allows operators to plan, manage and report on every element of a wind farm’s operations and then use the data to continually improve how things are done. We have developed something quite unlike anything else available, which has the potential to transform operations in the renewables industry.”
The system roll-out will begin from January 2022.
Innovation from our region plays a key role in the global shift to a zero carbon economy and the West of England has set an ambitious goal for tackling climate change, committing to net zero carbon by 2030.
With our strong capabilities in R&D across the aerospace and advanced engineering, digital and tech, coupled with our dynamic and collaborative ecosystems, our region is ready to lead the global transition to clean energy. And we're already being recognised for our expertise - Bristol was named European Green Capital in 2015 and the UK’s greenest city in 2019.
Our thriving zero carbon sector is made up of 25,000 zero carbon enterprises employing nearly 6,000 people. In addition, over a quarter of the UK’s major environmental research organisations have bases in the South West and South East Wales.
