A gear engineering and manufacturing company has been confirmed as the first successful bidder to develop next generation offshore wind technology.  David Brown Gear Systems (David Brown), whose U.K. facility is in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, has been awarded a grant to help develop a 7 MW offshore wind turbine gearbox.

David Brown’s innovative technology will be used for Samsung Heavy Industries’ new turbine. The gearbox, through its low weight and compact design, can improve cost of ownership and ultimately lower the cost of energy for wind turbine operators.

It is the first company to be awarded funding under DECC and the Technology Strategy Board’s Offshore Wind Component Technologies Innovation scheme. Launched last November, the scheme aims to help innovators with novel ideas to reduce the cost of offshore wind energy. 

“The coalition is determined to drive ambitious green growth and this is putting our money where our mouth is. This cash shows we are really shifting gear  when it comes to supporting innovation and offshore wind.  Making wind turbines more efficient is common sense and will help bring down the costs making them more attractive to build and helping us increase the amount of electricity we get from clean, green sources. It’s great to see David Brown Gear Systems stepping up to the challenge to ensure wind turbines work in the most efficient way," says Ian Farquhar, managing director wind energy, David Brown Gear Systems.