Leading-edge facilities plus technical support for renewable energy sector

Mar 20 2008 By The Journal

APRIL 2008 will see the opening of the Energy and Materials Technology Centre, the North-East’s new technical resource for the renewable energy sector. Partners in this multi-million pound investment include TWI – the world centre for materials joining technology – regional development agency One NorthEast, Tees Valley Partnership, Government Office North East and Middlesbrough Council. The new centre is a unique, national facility that extends the resources of TWI in the region from its base at Riverside Park.

Leading-edge fabrication and processing technologies are available to support companies already serving the renewable energy sector and to assist businesses with the potential to supply products and services to this strategically important, growth industry.

Access to the centre’s specialist equipment and expertise is through a One NorthEast supported, TWI-led technology transfer programme.

This provides free technical support to engineering SMEs and is helping manufacturers insert technology and develop capabilities for efficient product development and improved manufacturing processes.

The technology transfer programme has already provided expert advice or in-depth assistance to over 200 firms in the region, with priority given to companies within the renewable energy and related sectors. TWI Middlesbrough associate director Terry O’Neill said: “We have been providing, free of charge, up to 14 days’ technical support, which we’ve organised and delivered according to each company’s needs.

“Firms have used this for a variety of purposes. For example, troubleshooting production problems or developing more efficient manufacturing techniques. We’ve also helped a number of companies explore improved technologies, designs and materials.

“Recent work has included a design review for wind turbine tower manufacture, identifying commercial opportunities in the renewable sector, and running a technical workshop event on fabrication in the wind turbine industry”. TWI also has technology transfer programmes in the North-West, Wales and Yorkshire. North-East companies can take advantage of this extended regional network if they have suppliers, customers or related companies elsewhere in the UK.

The new centre’s facilities have been planned to meet the manufacturing needs of equipment and structures for all forms of renewable energy production including wind, wave, tidal and solar power. New equipment to complement TWI’s existing resources includes:

:: A tandem twin-wire submerged-arc welding system for high productivity linear and circumferential welding of thick sections up to 3m long and 2m diameter;

:: Mechanised TIG and MIG/MAG welding equipment for precision welding and cladding of components;

:: Reduced pressure electron beam welding, capable of welding steel up to 200mm thick in a single pass;

:: Electron beam texturing for producing surface features in applications such as metal-to-composite bonds and heat exchangers;

:: Polymer matrix composites processing using infusion technologies for component manufacture and repair;

:: Wet-film coating for protective, transparent/conductive, anti-reflection and anti-soiling/fouling coatings; and for adhesive bonding pre-treatments.

Companies wishing to benefit from assistance through TWI technology transfer are encouraged to e-mail nick.elbourn@twi.co.uk