The Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS), a Bristol-based simulation and modelling specialist based at the Bristol and Bath Science Park, is to take part in an £1.5million advanced turbine design project, which could make a big difference to the design and efficiency of offshore wind farms.
“We’re delighted to be involved in such a dynamic project where we have the opportunity to work alongside industry partners in the quest for a greener society”
Working alongside universities, including the University of bristol, and partners from across the energy industry, CFMS will join the second Simulated Wake Effects Platform for Turbines (SWEPT2) project, which aims to improve the way that the wakes of turbines are modelled and therefore the efficiency of offshore wind farms.
To do this CFMS will be working to establish the viability of Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) based fluid dynamics modelling, which is a faster, less expensive and more scalable alternative to the general purpose software previously used.
Bigger, better and more wind turbines
This means that the offshore wind farm industry will be able to design larger turbines as well as larger arrays of turbines, and better predict wind farm failure. Such improvements will lead to reduced financing costs and allow lower carbon emissions, better designed wind farm layouts and cheaper environmentally friendly electricity. The UK is already a global leader in offshore wind technology, supplying 15 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, and has as much capacity installed as the rest of the world combined. Projects like this can only help improve on these figures.
Sam Paice, Chief Operating Officer of CFMS, said, “Further enhancing our focus on the renewable energy sector, we’re delighted to be involved in such a dynamic project where we have the opportunity to work alongside industry partners in the quest for a greener society.”
The first SWEPT project ran in 2012. SWEPT2, which began on 1 May 2015, will run for three years and is supported by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency. The project will be led by DNV GL, a non-governmental organisation that maintains technical standards of ships and marine structures. Other project partners include Zenotech, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, STFC Daresbury, University of Surrey, University of Strathclyde, Imperial College and SSE Renewables Development UK Ltd.
You can find out more about CFMS at the CFMS website, or by following them on Twitter @CFMSuk
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