Exeter one of eight UK green energy innovators to secure major collaboration to supply world’s fastest growing offshore and renewable energy markets

The University’s Renewable Energy department will lead the involvement in a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Universities of Exeter and Harbin Engineering University (HEU), in China, and TORC, the joint venture research and incubation centre established in March 2019 by the UK’s Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and China’s Tus Wind.

The new academic research partnership will be led by Professor Lars Johanning, one of the most prominent academics in the UK for marine renewables.  The project will focus primarily on developing an international academic / industry partnership to develop vital new marine renewables, such as offshore floating wind.

Professor Johanning said: “Offshore renewable energy technologies already provide a fast opportunity in reducing carbon emission. China is particularly active in developing offshore wind technologies, an area which is set to become an important sector for the global energy future.  Building a Green Energy society will drive the economy following the covid-19 situation. We are proud working together with HEU and TORC on the realisation of China’s offshore wind energy targets, helping to achieve the green energy agenda at an affordable price of electricity.”   

The MOU is one of eight new agreements to develop and provide renewable energy technologies, services and research in China, announced today (June 9^th) at a virtual ceremony hosted in Yantai City, Shandong Province.

The eight innovators, from backgrounds as diverse as Formula 1, robotics, oil and gas, marine energy and digital, have all been supported by TORC.

Dr Stephen Wyatt, ORE Catapult Director of Research and Disruptive Innovation, said, "We are delighted that these companies have partnered with our research and innovation centre in Yantai to take their world-leading technology to the Chinese offshore wind market, which is forecast to be the biggest in the world by 2030.  Through TORC, our unique partnership between ORE Catapult and Tus Wind, we can provide the necessary support to ensure these companies succeed in China”.

Commenting at the signing ceremony in Yantai, Senior Vice President, Tus Holdings and Chairman of TORC, Charlie Du, said “The ocean energy industry in China is growing at 20% per year and will be the largest such market in the world over the next 20 years. Supporting, nurturing and developing the world’s leading marine science expertise and technology from both the UK and China will play an instrumental role in driving the world’s economic recovery from the Coronavirus”.