Industrial digitalisation could enable significant opportunities for export growth in the UK offshore wind sector, according to the latest UK Made Smarter Review – previously known as the Industrial Digitalisation review.
The review identifies opportunities for the UK offshore wind sector in industrial digitalisation, the existing barriers to digitalisation, and recommends actions that would accelerate the realisation of the opportunities that emerge from the adoption of digital technologies.
A big export opportunity, especially for UK consultancy companies, could come in the foundation design field with an advanced digital simulation at the engineering stage that could enhance UK content in offshore wind projects.
When it comes to active management of the grid using digital forecasting, the review says that it is already very sophisticated. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for innovations around available power estimation, localised wind prediction and market trend modelling (at high time granularity) amongst others, the report reads.
Also, strong export potential lies in big data techniques allied to more extensive use of sensor technologies that can reduce the cost of electricity by reducing operations and maintenance (O&M) costs. Furthermore, the use of specialised robotics in the maintenance of less accessible assets such as turbine blades has a long-term potential as robots can be used to carry out inspection work and, with time, this will extend to them undertaking actual maintenance such as injecting repair resins in wind turbine blades.
Barriers to digitalisation were identified in auction mechanisms, skills development, cross-sector cooperation, and innovation.
The review recommends developing a more coordinated approach to the development of industrial digitalisation in the offshore wind sector as the first thing on the list of actions to take.
The Made Smarter Review can be accessed HERE .