The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has selected RENK Test System to design, manufacture, and install a new drive train test rig at the National Renewable Energy Centre in the UK. The development comes after ORE Catapult secured nearly £86 million in capital funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), enabling the expansion of its testing facilities for the next generation of wind turbines.
RENK will enhance ORE Catapult’s existing drive train facility by increasing its testing capacity from 15MW to 23MW initially, with the capability to expand up to 28MW to accommodate future industry demand for more powerful and efficient turbines.
Tony Quinn, Director of Technology Development at ORE Catapult, highlighted RENK’s ability to meet the project’s complex requirements. “During the rigorous procurement process, RENK proved their ability to find solutions to a complex set of requirements,” Quinn said. “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the company to proceed with this significant upgrade to our drive train test and validation capability.”
Quinn emphasized that the new rig would not only be a critical part of the Catapult’s roadmap but would also contribute to the development of wind turbine technology in the UK, supporting the country’s Energy Security Strategy and net-zero goals.
RENK’s Managing Director Mathias Karrer expressed pride in securing the contract, noting the collaboration between experts from both companies. “Over the past nine months, ORE Catapult and RENK experts have been working together to design an unprecedented test system,” Karrer said. “A nacelle test rig that will set a new standard in terms of load performance, realistic testing, and test accuracies.”
The project is seen as a vital step in ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of offshore wind technology, according to Adam Staines, Head of the UKRI Infrastructure Fund. “This project will ensure that the UK is able to develop the next generation of wind turbines, keeping us at the forefront of offshore wind technology.
