Building on their recent experience of delivering projects in partnership, the agreement recognises the combination of competences that the two organisations bring to add value to the offshore wind generation market.

Outlining the benefits that this collaboration will offer the wind sector, Frazer-Nash Technical Research Manager, Brian Gribben says:

“Fraunhofer IWES has a deep understanding of wind turbine systems, and specific expertise and capability in wind turbine performance, sensing, monitoring and reliability strategies; while Frazer-Nash has capability in systems engineering and asset management practice, plus experience of deploying digital twins and management tools for in-service high-value energy generation assets. Offered in combination, our joint expertise provides a very powerful proposition for potential clients within the sector.”

Fraunhofer IWES Deputy and Technical Director Professor Jan Wenske comments:

“The cooperation with Frazer-Nash allows us to bundle the experiences of both parties. Frazer-Nash’s asset management practice complements Fraunhofer IWES’ deep understanding of turbine system operation, reliability control and our extensive validation services. Together we strive for the greatest added value and aim at sharing and elaborating our findings with the wind energy industry.”

Frazer-Nash Renewables Business Manager, Paul Mather adds:

“Working collaboratively, we will be able to help clients with performance analysis, digital asset strategies and implementation, and wind turbine reliability control, maintenance and testing.”

 

Notes for editors

Frazer-Nash’s capabilities include:

• With experience of cross-industry challenges, solutions and good practice in asset management, Frazer-Nash provides advice that supports organisations with their asset management decision making.

• Frazer-Nash can help wind companies to develop their digital asset management capability, and can advise on the modernisation of existing asset management systems, including how to exploit digital twin technology for commercial benefit.

• With extensive technical expertise, Frazer-Nash can help to implement measurement systems for strain, vibration and wind, and to gather and make sense of data.

• The consultancy can also assist with standards compliance, and with the positioning of wind energy companies’ technology and asset management into their overall strategy.

 

Fraunhofer IWES

Fraunhofer IWES ensures investments in technological developments in the field of wind energy through its validation services. By operating large test rigs, it accelerates the market introduction of innovative products, enhances certification processes and increases planning security by using state-of-the-art measurement techniques. Fraunhofer IWES employs around 220 scientists and administrative staff and 80 students at five sites: Bremerhaven, Hanover, Bremen, Hamburg and Oldenburg.

Today, IWES operates test rigs for rotor blades, nacelles, support structures, rolling bearings and main shafts - which has been possible thanks to continuous public funding right from the start in the founding year 2009. The testing spectrum was developed in cooperation with industry leaders, who were involved from the design phase right up to commissioning. This approach made sure that the test rigs and measurement equipment comply with actual industry needs. These assets combined with the methodological competence of its employees make Fraunhofer IWES a preferred research and development partner for companies all around the globe. By participating actively in international committees and associations, the institute contributes to technology development and quality assurance within the wind industry.

 

Frazer-Nash Consultancy Ltd

Frazer-Nash is a leading systems and engineering technology company. Our work makes a difference to things that matter in the world. With over 800 employees, Frazer-Nash works from a network of ten UK and four Australian locations. Our consultants apply their expertise to develop, enhance and protect our clients' critical assets, systems and processes.

In an uncertain world, we contribute to national security in a huge number of ways. We help make sure that power is generated and distributed to everyone who needs it. We support moving people and goods around and between the big cities of an increasingly urbanised society. We work to make the world a more sustainable place. We ensure governments save time and money when public spending globally is under huge pressure. And we help our clients wrestle with the challenges and opportunities of an ever-accelerating digital revolution.

Our people use their combined strengths to deliver technical solutions to some of the most challenging problems out there. Sometimes these challenges are difficult technical issues, and sometimes they are difficult because of the environment our clients operate in. Our great strength is our ability to rise to these challenges and deliver.

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