Faster, safer, better – floating offshore wind energy in the Celtic Sea

University of Plymouth experts attend All-Energy 2024
floating offshore wind farm
Accelerating, de-risking and optimising the ​development and deployment of​ floating offshore wind energy, and tackling the sector’s key challenges are the hot topics for the University of Plymouth’s team at the All-Energy conference in Glasgow, this week.
Earlier today, the University’s Director of Marine Business Development, ​ Mr Kevin Forshaw ​, delivered a keynote speech focused on the role universities play in enabling companies to bring innovative solutions to market and prepare the future workforce for the offshore renewable energy (ORE) industry.
And Professor Deborah Greaves OBE FREng , Director of the University’s Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy, is chairing a wide-ranging debate – including colleagues from universities in Aberdeen, Hull, Edinburgh, and Manchester – on a pivotal decade to accelerate the deployment of ORE as the UK moves towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

At the forefront of research and innovation 

In his talk, Kevin outlined how diverse research and development initiatives strengthen the ORE sector and how modern, state-of-the-art research facilities can de-risk and optimise the development and deployment of new technology.
The University of Plymouth’s Marine Institute is the first and largest in the UK, with over 3,000 staff and students focused on the ocean​, including enabling floating offshore wind (FLOW) and other energy solutions to become a reality. 
Kevin Forshaw and Martin Hann at ALL-Energy conference
Kevin Forshaw at ALL-Energy conference
Kevin Forshaw and Martin Hann at ALL-Energy conference

We are at the forefront of ORE research and innovation. Our world-leading researchers and substantial investment in state-of-the-art facilities mean we are accelerating the development of wave, tidal, and offshore wind technologies, nationally and internationally. Plymouth combines leading offshore engineering research with marine science insight to create the thought leadership for a future of safe, efficient and sustainable maritime operations.

Kevin ForshawMr Kevin Forshaw
Director of Marine Business Development

The University’s commitment to marine science includes the COAST Lab, Maritime Simulation Lab, Cyber-SHIP Lab, and an extensive fleet of Autonomous Marine Systems – all of which play vital roles in ​supporting the drive to generate wind energy in the Celtic Sea, between the coasts of England, Wales and Ireland.
Current plans are for FLOW to generate 4.5GW of energy from turbines in the Celtic Sea by 2035 – enough to power four million homes – with the potential for a further 20GW by 2045.

All-Energy 2024

Held at Glasgow’s SEC, on 15 and 16 May 2024, All-Energy is the UK’s largest event promoting low-carbon energy and renewable energy supply chains.
The University of Plymouth’s panel of experts is based at Stand M10, and you can view more information on the All-Energy 2024 exhibition . 

Celtic Sea opportunities

Kevin Forshaw highlights the potential of the FLOW development in the Celtic Sea to decarbonise our power grid and create new opportunities for the region.

Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy 

In response to climate change imperatives, we are bringing together a critical mass of leading research and expertise from across the University of Plymouth. Through co-creation and collaboration with partners from business, government and key communities from across the globe, the Centre aims to be a beacon for the University’s whole-system transdisciplinary approach to solutions-oriented research, accelerating sustainable developments in decarbonisation and renewable energy.
 
C-DORE video screenshot