Green for ‘Go’: Funding secured for patented wind turbine tech

It’s an absolute joy to see our client, W3G secure funding for their patented Foundation Stabilisation Tool (FST). The FST aids installation of offshore wind turbines by providing a temporary anchor to the turbine while securing the jacket foundation system. The FST allows water to be used rather than oils or chemicals, so making the whole turbine installation process far more environmentally friendly.

We’re delighted to have been of service to W3G in securing accelerated patent protection for the FST. This was gained through the UK Patent Office’s “Green Channel” which allows for rapid processing of patent applications relating to green technologies. It’s great to see the FST being protected by patent and now see funding being secured for its further commercialisation.

We’re eager to now follow the FST as it plays its part in contributing to bringing about Scotland’s green electricity revolution and the UK’s energy strategy. It’s the realisation of this type of funding that will surely give more companies the drive to continue to develop solutions to deliver against government net zero targets.     

In January this year, ScotWind auctioned-off seabed plots for major offshore wind projects around the Scottish coast. This saw seventeen projects covering some 7,000km2 being selected with a potential generating capacity of 25GW. Seventeen successful bidders have now been chosen.

It’s clear that the pieces are moving into place. Locations have been chosen; operators have been selected. It is now becoming increasingly important that offshore service sector companies find more and more innovative solutions to the new technical problems that offshore wind brings. That’s true whether in installation, connection to the grid, operation or maintenance.

As part of our future green energy security, we clearly need to move fast to get turbines into the water and connected to the grid. To do this, players need the certainty that their hard work will be rewarded. Patents play a part in that. They provide companies with a competitive edge in tendering processes and, as with the FST, the comfort that funders always like to have.