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Winners announced of wind innovation fund

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The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has today announced the first three winners under the second call of the Technology Strategy Board’s (TSB) Offshore Wind Component Technologies Development and Demonstration scheme.

It has also launched the fourth round of this competition to develop innovations in the field of offshore wind as DECC aims to drive down the costs by 25 per cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2050.

High Voltage Partial Discharge (HVPD) Ltd, JDR Cable Systems Ltd and Principle Power have been awarded a share of nearly £2.3million under the £5million second call of the scheme, launched in May last year. 

This money will be used for a range of novel ideas to help cut costs and drive forward growth in the offshore wind sector, including design of an integrated offshore high voltage network management system, development of innovative HVAC cables, and the creation of new floating foundations for wind turbines.

Climate change minister Greg Barker said: “This £2.3million will give three more companies the boost they need to take their innovative designs to the next level, helping cut costs in offshore wind generation, and ultimately helping us harness more power from turbines out at sea. 

“I wish High Voltage Partial Discharge Ltd, JDR Cable Systems Ltd and Principle Power (Europe) Ltd every success with their projects.

“I am also pleased to announce the launch of a £4million fourth round of this competition and would encourage organisations with innovative ideas to apply.”

A further £4m is now available under the fourth call of the scheme. Applications must be received by DECC by noon on day 15 of each month, starting 15 March 2013.  Further information and details of how to apply can be found by clcking here.