Location: North East
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult is the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy.
ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, is home to the world’s most comprehensive open-access research, test, innovation and validation services to accelerate the deployment of new and innovative offshore renewable energy technology.
Equipment
This facility supports the development and validation of the efficiency and reliability of sub-megawatt wind and tidal systems and components.
The ORE Catapult operates one of the world’s most advanced horizontal axes powertrain testing facilities, with a 6 degree of freedom Non-Torque Loading (NTL) and eGrid (grid emulation) system integration, exposing turbine powertrains to the extreme forces and conditions experienced in harsh offshore environments up to 3MW rating.
The ORE Catapult operates one of the world’s most advanced powertrain test and validation facilities for next generation offshore wind turbine nacelle systems up to 15MW rating. This includes 6 degrees of freedom Non-Torque Loading (NTL), eGrid (grid emulation) system integration and hardware in the loop capability to provide the most advanced Highly Accelerated Lifetime Testing (HALT) capability for the offshore wind industry.
eGrid is one of the most advanced grid emulation systems in the world. In combination with its drivetrain test capabilities, ORE Catapult can not only test the main bearings, gearbox, main shaft and generator, but also the central control, converters, transformer and switchgear.
The 18MVA system allows clients to simultaneously test mechanical and electrical systems, in order to evaluate electrical performance, gain critical performance data and achieve grid-compliant assurance.
eGrid does this by emulating AC grid voltage, current, frequency and power balance, allowing the simulation of abnormal conditions that wind and tidal turbines might experience in the field.
ORE Catapult is at the forefront of powertrain testing, validation, innovation and research. The Catapult’s experienced powertrain specialists, engineering and project management teams work with clients to enhance and validate their advanced and complex wind and tidal turbine powertrain systems.