Offshore renewable energy such as tidal, wave and offshore wind is an increasingly important part of the UK energy supply. However, there are challenges when it comes to operating in an offshore environment. Cable infrastructure can be vulnerable to being dragged or worn. Installation, repair and maintenance operations are all costly. The cable transmission capacity can limit the amount of energy taken from a device or device array.
This project seeks to investigate the feasibility of two types of sensor technology measuring a wide range of cable parameters, that can operate over the optical communications fibre that is already present in most
power cables. These systems can provide real time monitoring of electrical performance and also the physical condition of offshore cabling infrastructure. The expected outcome from the project are sensor subsystem designs that have been validated in the laboratory and in samples of marine power cable at partner test sites.
This will allow the UK team to move forward to larger scale development and testing with a core of large industry partners
5,000
2012-07-01 to 2013-05-31
Fast Track
This project addresses the Quasi-Optical design, analysis and test of a 183/229 GHz breadboard receiver system for the proposed MetOp-SG MWS instrument. The work develops new analysis techniques for microwave radiometer systems using non-sequential ray tracing techniques and Beam Propagation Synthesis, inviting improved radiometer design and performance. In addition, the new instrument scan requirements for MWS are reviewed and the opportunities for torque and momentum compensation investigated.
This project draws together experts in the UK Space Industry, mm-wave research, development and Manufacturing to address the design challenges in the MetOp-SG Microwave Sounder Instrument.