Annual Report 2015
12
NOWITECH
Norwegian Research Centre for Offshore Wind Technology
RESEARCH PLAN
The research methodology includes a mix of analytic work, numerical simulations and development of
software tools, laboratory experiments and field measurements. The mix will vary depending on the task
addressed, though the main portion of the budget is for scientific staff, while additional funding are sought
for any significant investments in experiments or research infrastructure. The general idea is to align
research in NOWITECH with other open research activities carried out by the research partners, and by this
maximize benefits of the funding. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale is applied to communicate the
progress of models and technology.
The educational activity forms part of the research programme with engagement of MSc students and
funding of 25 PhD and 5 Postdoc students at NTNU. PhD and Postdoc students at NTNU working on offshore
wind, but funded through other sources, are carried out in alignment with NOWITECH.
The research is organized in three work packages (WPs):
• WPA: Substructures and numerical tools. The objective is development of novel substructures for offshore
wind through development, validation and use of numerical tools and experimental campaigns.
• WPB: Operation & Maintenance and Materials. The objective is to contribute to the reduction of cost
of energy of offshore wind power through development of new and cost-effective O&M concepts and
strategies, through efficient and optimized use of material and coatings, and through development of new
coatings and improved models for structures and materials.
• WPC: Grid and Wind Farms. The objective is to develop technical solutions and methods for cost effective
electromagnetic and electrical designs, controls, grid connection and power system integration of offshore
wind farms.
The WPs bring researchers
together across traditional fields of
engineering science and facilitate
team building and innovations. The
preparation of joint workshops
and research strategies further
strengthen the multi-disciplinary
team efforts. Figure 4 shows main
meetings, reporting events and
how the annual work plans for the
next year are prepared with spring
and autumn industry meetings
before approval by the Board in
November/December.
Work is carried out in coordination
with the other FME (Centres for
Environmental Energy Research)
on offshore wind, namely
NORCOWE. The Centres are
complementary to each other and
constitute together a very strong
research effort on offshore wind
energy.
GA, workshop and
autumn board meeting
with approval of annual
work plan (Nov)
Status reporting
T3 (Des)
Preparation of new
annual work plan
(Oct)
Status reporting T2
and autumn industry
meetings (Sep)
Spring board meeting
and NOWITECH day
(Jun)
Annual reporting
(Mar)
Status reporting T1
and spring industry
meeting (Apr)
Presentation of re-
sults at EERA Deep-
Wind
conference (Jan)
Figure 5: Annual schedule of main meetings,
reports and preparation of the annual work plans.