Teesside-based MJR Power & Automation has been awarded UK government funding for its offshore wind on-turbine electrical vessel charging system as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.
Funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the grant will enable the company to speed up development and demonstration of its electrical vessel charging system.
The system consists of offshore wind turbines to generate electricity, and charge points that will make it possible for electric crew transfer vessels and offshore support vessels to charge in the field via a green energy source.
Designed to alleviate range anxiety by extending the existing range barriers, the MJR system will increase the uptake of fully electric and green forms of propulsion in the maritime sector.
Furthermore, the company sees the charging system as an important step toward the government and offshore wind owners and operators achieving net-zero maritime operations targets by swapping out traditionally used fossil fuels with more environmentally friendly alternatives.
“We are delighted to have been selected as one of the winners of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, which will enable us to demonstrate our world-leading technology for offshore charging of vessels, and our commitment to supporting decarbonization of marine operations,” commented Paul Cairns, managing director of MJR Power and Automation.
“The support of the Department for Transport/Innovate UK is crucial to delivering net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and we are proud to be recipients of their support.”