VIDEO A new rig to test offshore floating wind and tidal energy subsea cables is to be unveiled by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult in a cost saving effort. ORE Catapult claim the cable bend fatigue rig will “support the development, and improve the performance and reliability” of subsea cables. The rig, a 15-tonne structure designed by Northumberland-based firm Osbit, is capable of testing floating wind and tidal cables, carrying out operational research and acting as a representative test bed for subsea cable projects. ORE Catapult say the vast majority (80%) of offshore wind project insurance claims are through “cable-related failures”. Alex Neumann, ORE Catapult’s electrical infrastructure Asset Manager, said: “ORE Catapult is a leading independent expert in the test, validation and certification of High Voltage (HV) electrical systems. “By adding the new test rig to our UKAS-accredited HV laboratories, we are able to fully integrate our extensive suite of specialist test and measurement facilities and engineering expertise to provide a better understanding of failure modes and in so doing improve the efficiency, performance and resilience of subsea cable systems.” Brendon Hayward, managing director of Osbit, added: “We are pleased to deliver a bespoke testing system to support ORE Catapult in advancing the global development of subsea cables. This project is a great case study showing how we employ our risk-mitigating programme delivery system to develop appropriately engineered solutions, fully aligned with our client’s requirements.”
Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has announced the deployment of a new cable bend fatigue rig designed to save money wasted through cable-related failures. The structure, which was designed by Osbit and weighs 15 tonnes, tests floating wind and tidal cables to provide feedback on their performance and is capable of conducting operational research into how to improve their efficiency. ORE Catapult estimates that 80% of insurance claims related to offshore wind projects derive from cable failures, with the system designed to reduce costs and drive innovation in the sector.