Kite Power Solutions Ltd (KPS) is the UK's only developer of a technology to generate electricity from the wind using kites. KPS was formed in 2011 to develop this innovative disruptive wind energy technology. KPS predicts a market entry in 2025 for a 3MW floating offshore system which has a cost of electricty 50% of conventional wind turbines, lower than the wholesale price of electricity removing the requirement for subsidies. This project enables KPS to further scale the existing demonstrated technology with leading UK businesses. These collaborators are BVG Associates supporting the optimisation of the power conversion system; Artemis Intelligent Power providing support in the drive train development; Imperial College supporting aerodynamic development of the wings; The National Composites Centre optimising kite material and manufacturing processes; Keynvor Morlift Ltd to conduct mooring and installation assessments; Banks Sails as KPS kite manufacturing partner. The project will also involve engagement with the wider public and the environmental stakeholders to assess the impacts of the rollout of KPS kite energy technology.

The benefits of embracing efficient, sustainable marine operations are becoming recognised, but for smaller marine service companies operating in the Small Commercial Vessel (SCV) sector there are real challenges to implementation of vessel efficiency improvement measures. In a sector characterised by small fleets of diverse vessels and smaller operators where it is less viable to assign resource to analyse efficiency, the ability to autonomously collect appropriate data and apply it effectively to deliver fuel, operations and maintenance cost savings has never been greater. To address this a consortium, led by Marine Contractor & Specialist Vessel Operator Keynvor MorLift Ltd will develop an affordable Vessel Performance Management System (VPMS) designed with the SCV sector in mind. A novel maintenance codification system introducing the benefits of Condition Based Maintenance (CBM)to small vessels and a user-friendly operating system will be developed by Safeguard Nautica Ltd, and an autonomous SCADA monitoring system will be developed by Specialist Engineers, Reygar Ltd. Once developed, the system will be demonstrated over a 12 month trials period.

The project will develop and test a low cost Dynamic-Positioning barge installation vessel suitable for installing tidal turbine arrays at energetic and exposed tidal sites. The vessel will be based on a flat top barge with significant deck space and adequate craneage capacity to deploy a wide range of tidal devices of 1MW size and above with associated drilling equipment, umbilicals etc. The vessel will have a novel propulsion system and bespoke DP controller onboard designed to maximise the tidal and weather operating window of the vessel. The project aims to deliver a DP tidal array installation vessel that can be chartered at a small fraction of current offshore DP vessel rates. The partners are IT Power (project lead), KML (marine contractor & shipowner), Reygar Ltd (DP controller developer) and A&P (Falmouth based shipbuilders).