Unique offshore wind ‘living lab’ is switched on in Grimsby

We’re proud to have jointly funded the £2.8m Ports and Offshore Renewable Technology Accelerator Lincolnshire (5G PORTAL) with Innovate UK.

It will accelerate the development of a new generation of digital technologies essential to the huge expansion of offshore wind farms required to meet the UK target to deploy 50GW of offshore wind by 2030.

The ‘living lab’ will allow technology providers to develop, test and demonstrate their equipment in real world conditions, with access to reliable, high-speed communications, and aims to attract users from across the global offshore wind sector.

Graham Stuart MP, Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: “As a country, we need to embrace new ideas and technologies to make sure the global boom in offshore wind continues.

“The high-speed communications infrastructure will provide the perfect environment to test and develop the next generation of digital technologies, making our wind farms smarter, safer and greener.

“This will also level up the country by sustaining 200 skilled jobs, supporting more than 120 businesses and creating 20 new enterprises. Thanks to the 5G PORTAL, Grimsby is becoming world famous as the driving force behind the digital revolution in offshore wind.”

The 5G PORTAL is delivered by a consortium led by ORE Catapult, bringing together the expertise of Microsoft, XceCo, Associated British Ports (ABP), Accelleran, JET Connectivity, Boldyn Networks and Satellite Applications Catapult.

Andrew Macdonald, Director of Offshore Wind Development and Operations at ORE Catapult, said: “We are delighted the 5G PORTAL has been switched on, opening the door to an exciting new future for offshore renewable energy in the Humber with our expert partners.

“It will provide a real-world test and demonstration zone for robotics, AI, remote sensors, wearable technology, zero emission vessels and smart ports, driving forward the digital evolution of our next generation wind farms.

“Innovators can make the most of this unique resource as they bring new products and services to market, both in the UK and across the world. We believe it will attract investment from the global offshore wind market that will be felt regionally and nationally as offshore wind rapidly expands and opens up significant export opportunities.”

To create the 5G PORTAL, two 5G technology development and demonstration zones linked by a fibre network were created: Grimsby Port is at one end and the Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farm is at the other.

Fifteen 5G radio transmitters are placed across five sites (including four wind turbines and a radio mast in the port), working in conjunction with a solar-powered 5G buoy developed by JET Connectivity, together providing an extended private 5G network over a 45km² area.

The photo shows (left to right): Tony Lyon, Xceco; Jo Goubert, Accelleran; Peter Smith, ABP; Ben George, ORE Catapult; Halina Davies, Greater Lincolnshire LEP; Simon Hart, Innovate UK; Donal O’Sullivan, Boldyn Networks; James Thomas, Jet Connectivity pictured with an Xocean autonomous, solar powered vessel to help with subsurface and turbine inspections.