ECOWINDS

European Clusters for Offshore Wind Servicing

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The European Clusters for Offshore Wind Servicing (ECOWindS) project builds on existing network within offshore wind energy to establish cluster cooperation in Offshore Wind Servicing (OWS) encompassing the industrial processes; assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines and operation and maintenance of wind turbines offshore.

ECOWindS is a collaboration between research-driven clusters from South Denmark, East of England, North-West Germany and Møre, Norway , are- regions that are absolute hotspots for the world’s offshore wind industry. While the regions are characterised by complementary strengths and potential, they all face common challenges and bottle-necks that could best be dealt with within a cross-regional collaborative framework. The objective of the project is to develop and integrate regional OWS research agendas and smart specialisation strategies in a Joint Action Plan, enabling intensified intra- and interregional research and innovation-driven cooperation to ensure a more focused and efficient use of regional, national and EU Structural and RTD funds. Special will be devoted to how to better develop, include and utilize the competencies and knowledge of SMEs into innovation processes within the OWS sector.

The ECOWINDS project runs through three successive and partly overlapping phases: (1) Analysis and integration of research agendas of actors in regional clusters; (2) Initiatives to improve integration: definition of a Joint Action Plan, including an International Cooperation Strategy and a Smart Specialisation Toolkit; (3) Measures towards the implementation of the Joint Action Plan.

The implementation of ECOWindS and the exploitation of the results will foster smart, sustainable regional growth and job creation by contributing to drive down cost of energy from existing offshore wind farms and to half the cost of energy from new installations on comparable sites before 2020.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

As Europe's wind energy potential continues to grow, so does the cost associated with maintaining the increasing volume of installed turbines. An EU initiative is examining the cost efficiency of assembly, installation, operations and maintenance.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Wind power is gaining tremendous steam among European citizens as a clean and renewable energy source. It is also playing a major role in helping to achieve the EU's renewable energy targets. Lost in the booming offshore wind market is the offshore wind servicing (OWS) sector, often neglected in favour of more lucrative manufacturing pursuits.

With EU funding, the http://www.ecowinds.eu/ (ECOWINDS) (European clusters for offshore wind servicing) project aims to enhance the innovation capacity of the European OWS sector by fostering cross-regional cooperation and strengthening the relationship between research and the offshore wind industry. To achieve its aims, the project will produce a joint action plan (JAP).

ECOWINDS concentrates on the offshore wind clusters of south Denmark, east of England, north-west Germany and Norway. These regions have emerged as key hubs for the global offshore wind industry.

During the first year, most the work focused on mapping the four participating clusters to get a clearer picture. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were analysed with respect to their ability to support the OWS sector's innovation activities. The clusters were also compared to identify similarities and complementarities.

Partners have begun developing the JAP based on the regional mapping outcomes. This main project outcome serves as a roadmap for actions to promote innovation-driven opportunities for the evolution and building up of the OWS industry.

Through research, innovation and cooperation, ECOWINDS intends to boost the competitiveness of the OWS sector in Europe by lowering costs and achieving more competitive pricing.