The energy market in general, and the wind energy market in particular, are experiencing constant decrease of prices, together with harsher and harsher grid conditions. In order to comply with worldwide environmental policies, revolutionary solutions, such as FASTAP, need to reach the market as soon as possible. The FASTAP project aims at scaling from TRL6 to TRL8 the wind turbine application of a very fast on-load tap changer transformer technology. This solution uses thyristors specially connected to multi-tap transformer windings to provide On-Load Tap Changer capability to a standard wind turbine (WTG) transformer. This technology allows to choose the optimum voltage at which the WTG operates in, not only in steady-state conditions but also for dynamic and transient events. This technology will increase WTGs' electric capabilities in weak grid conditions, enlarge WTGs' Low and High Voltage Ride Through capabilities and allow reducing electrical components oversizing. As an overall, the FASTAP will be able to reduce wind's Leverage Cost of Energy up to 5.5% and will be able to connect to worldwide grids an additional 71.64GW wind capacity. The consortium partners have been working together for the last three years to bring the technology up to TRL6. They cover the whole value chain, which guarantees that the product will reach the market 33 months after the project kicks-off: - INF, the market leader in bipolar high-performance semiconductors, brings the technical know-how and commercial capacity for thyristors-based semiconductors. -SGB, number one medium-sized manufacturer of transformers in Europe, brings the technical know-how and commercial capacity for transformers. -SG, WTG market leader, will be the integrator and validator of the FASTAP product into 5MW platforms. -MU, the most industrially-oriented University in Spain, was the first originator of the FASTAP concept and will bring FASTAP transformer for Wind Turbines.

The aim of this innovative training network is to train a new generation of early-stage researchers (ESR’s) to face the urgent challenge of how to model the performance of engineering structures that operate in dynamic environments. Building trusted virtual models for structures subject to high dynamic loads is a process we call “dynamic virtualisation”. All the ESR’s who receive training through this network will (i) obtain a PhD from an internationally recognised University, (ii) gain experience of applying their research skills in non-academic organisations, and (iii) receive training in transferable skills such commercialisation and communication. The network will be run as part of the Open Data Project giving maximum research impact through open access publications, data, software and public engagement. The research carried out through this network will go beyond the now ubiquitous process of creating computer based simulation models of structural dynamics. Obtaining a valuable virtual model is no longer a question of computing power, but now rests in the more difficult problem of developing trust in the model through the process of verification and validation (V & V). The challenges are perhaps most obvious in the renewable energy sector, where technology is developing at a very rapid pace, and more reliable models are required to cope with structures subjected to extreme loadings which lead to a high degree of nonlinearity, and uncertainties. Applying our research to such problems will be accelerated by close interaction with the industrial partners in the network, with whom we intend to maintain and enhance an innovation focused relationship. This will result in a training network where ESR’s are able to be creative, entrepreneurial and innovative whilst receiving state of the art training that will enable them to deal with future challenges in this important area of engineering.

The principal goal of the InnoCyPES ITN is to provide world-leading and transferable scientific training to a new generation of 15 high-achieving early stage researchers (ESRs). In the course of their training, they will study, investigate and improve various facets of digitalized and interconnected energy systems. Supervised by a consortium of prominent and experienced academic institutions, research institutes and industrial partners, they will collaboratively develop a cutting-edge system management platform that covers the entire lifecycle of data for energy system planning, operation and maintenance, based on an understanding of the energy system as a cyber-physical system. The increasing volume, velocity, and variety of data from a massive number of dispersed “Internet of things” sensors in the energy system offers opportunities for improved operational efficiency and reliability – but it also results in threats in the form of computational burden and cyber-attacks. The transformation towards a fully digitalized energy system requires substantial improvements in coordinated design of cyber and physical systems, end-to-end data processing tools, and enabling changes in policy, incentive and regulatory mechanisms. Their absence acts as a barrier for the energy industry in translating the fast-accumulating data into actionable knowledge. The ESR projects will target key bottlenecks for this digital transformation. The tools that will be developed will be released as an open source platform for maximum impact. In InnoCyPES, the ESRs will be enrolled in an intensive doctoral training program that is both intersectoral – involving key stakeholders – and interdisciplinary, including information science, energy systems engineering and social science. Moreover, each ESR has both academic and industrial advisors. It will thus provide ESRs with skills that are in high demand by industry and academia, preparing them for thriving careers in this burgeoning area.

STEP4WIND aims at increasing the commercial readiness level of floating offshore wind energy through technological innovations across the supply chain. Floating wind turbines (FOWTs) could be a game changer to further decrease the cost of offshore wind energy and unlock new markets. Wind turbines placed on a floating support and moored to the seabed can harness energy in areas with much higher wind speeds, at a reduced installation cost. It also gives the opportunity to countries with deep water to enter the offshore wind industry. The SET-Plan stresses that Europe needs to move fast in deploying FOWTs. It also highlights the urgency to widen the basic knowledge of early-stage researchers (ESRs) towards the design of FOWTs and match it with industrial needs. This European Industrial Doctorate programme will achieve this by delivering 10 doctoral degrees jointly supervised by the public and private sectors. The ESRs will be supervised by 3 universities with a track-record in wind energy research and 5 companies leading the deployment of floating wind farms and heavily involved in policy-making bodies. A mentoring scheme will be tailored to the needs of each ESR, with the involvement of several female senior staff. Scientifically, STEP4WIND will develop floating-specific tools, methods and infrastructures to tackle the technological and economical challenges of FOWTs, from design to deployment, operation and scaling up. The innovations from each ESR will be systematically integrated in a common multi-disciplinary design and optimisation tool to assess their impact on cost, risk and the environment. STEP4WIND will also deliver guidelines for large farm deployments, with a clear roadmap to commercialisation. The results will be disseminated openly in a series of innovative ways, including an online game and a design competition. STEP4WIND will also take part in large outreach initiatives, such as the TORQUE2020 outreach events organised by the Coordinator in May 2020.

The OYSTER project will lead to the development and demonstration of a marinized electrolyser designed for integration with offshore wind turbines. Stiesdal will work with the world’s largest offshore wind developer (Ørsted) and a leading wind turbine manufacturer (Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy) to develop and test in a shoreside pilot trial a MW-scale fully marinized electrolyser. The findings will inform studies and design exercises for full-scale systems that will include innovations to reduce costs while improving efficiency. To realise the potential of offshore hydrogen production there is a need for compact electrolysis systems that can withstand harsh offshore environments and have minimal maintenance requirements while still meeting cost and performance targets that will allow production of low-cost hydrogen. The project will provide a major advance towards this aim. Preparation for further offshore testing of wind-hydrogen systems will be undertaken, and results from the studies will be disseminated in a targeted way to help advance the sector and prepare the market for deployment at scale. The OYSTER project partners share a vision of hydrogen being produced from offshore wind at a cost that is competitive with natural gas (with a realistic carbon tax), thus unlocking bulk markets for green hydrogen (heat, industry, and transport), making a meaningful impact on CO2 emissions, and facilitating the transition to a fully renewable energy system in Europe. This project is a key first step on the path to developing a commercial offshore hydrogen production industry and will lead to innovations with significant exploitation potential within Europe and beyond.