News Article

A wind turbine of the future being engineered in the North East has been selected as one of a select band of UK innovations to secure investment from the new national flagship energy research body, the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).

The technology behind Wind Power’s ambitious vertical axis wind turbine, the Aerogenerator – which is able to harness wind energy from all directions - has received backing from ETI in their first round of £20 million funding awarded to new energy projects which could help to ensure the UK meets Energy & Climate Change targets.

The exciting technology behind the Aerogenerator has been developed at the New and Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland over the last four years with the backing of North East Finance’s Three Pillars Fund – set up to encourage emerging technologies in the region’s key industries – and from other regional investment including North Star Equity Investors’ Proof of Concept Fund and One North East.

A funding injection from the ETI will enable a feasibility study to be undertaken by the UK based Consortium to support the transfer of the technology to an offshore environment from its testing base in Blyth, as part of Project “NOVA”, one of three offshore wind technologies to be researched in the funding round. 
A number of additional jobs will also be created on the project.

Unlike traditional propeller turbines, Aerogenerator is ‘V’ shaped and operates around a vertical access allowing it to harness energy more efficiently.  It has the benefit of ruggedness, stability and simpler maintenance access, compared to the horizontal axis concept of conventional turbines, and could make a major contribution to meeting the UK’s ambitious wind energy targets.

Amanda McMurray Three Pillars Fund Manager at North East Finance said: “This is great news for Aerogenerator and the region. The ETI has real heavyweight backing and its support underlines the importance and potential of this technology to the UK.

“The technology is proven and it’s exciting to be working towards up scaling the project. We’re delighted that Three Pillars funding has helped to leverage in the additional investment required to do this, and to help to fulfil the Three Pillars Fund’s remit to the region.”

Richard Marr, Finance Director at NaREC said: “NaREC congratulates Wind Power on their achievements so far, and looks forward to working closely with the Consortium on the study which we hope will help lead toward its deployment in UK waters. 

“The North East of England is ideally placed to capitalise on the emerging offshore renewable market for wind, wave and tidal energy generation; and in the subsequent industry which will be built around it to operate and maintain such infrastructure. 

“The opportunities for manufacturing, engineering, ports and marine operators are huge, and by attracting and developing novel technologies here, such as the Aerogenerator, NaREC is quickly establishing this region as the centre for offshore renewable energy in the UK.”

In addition, NaREC is also supporting Wind Power to raise funds for the further development of a smaller device aimed at application for small-scale wind and would welcome enquiries from any potential investors.