Global Open Innovation Challenge Drives Breakthrough Solutions for Offshore Wind Energy

This open innovation was launched in partnership with Wazoku and 9 other accelerators. The initiative aims to tackle some of the biggest challenges in the offshore wind sector, focusing on efficiency, cost reduction, sustainability, and safety. With 122 solutions submitted, the challenge highlights the global push to make offshore wind energy a key player in the energy transition.

Global Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

The challenge reflects the industry's commitment to global collaboration in tackling the toughest offshore wind energy issues. Solvers from 70 countries participated, with notable engagement from countries like the UK, USA, India, and Norway, further showcasing the worldwide interest in overcoming the barriers facing offshore wind development.

Industry Partners Leading the Way

The NOW Accelerator is driving innovation with key partners like Å Energi, Corio, Seaway7, Ørsted, Equinor, Vattenfall, Seagust, Hafslund, and Fred. Olsen Seawind. These industry leaders are focused on developing solutions that address environmental impact, cost reduction, safety, and sustainability—all while advancing the offshore wind energy sector.

Helge Myrvang, Business Development Manager, Seaway7, says that they are pleased to be part of the NOW Accelerator in 2024. 

-Through our challenge on mooring & dynamic cable infrastructure in floating offshore wind we met with many interesting suppliers, start- ups and potential future collaboration partners. It allowed us to perform systematic assessments of the interesting technology providers to ensure that the most promising companies with enabling technologies are given an opportunity to showcase their solutions and reach out to the wider industry, says Myrvang. 

Roberts Proskovics, Floating Structures Technical Authority, Corio Generation, comments:

-Initiatives like the Innovation Challenge are planting the seeds for the successful development and sustainable growth of an offshore wind supply chain that is fit for purpose and looking for ways to make the industry safer and more competitive”

He says that Nordvegen Vind is unlikely to have had access to a such wide pool of innovators looking to address the day-to-day challenges of developing and operating offshore wind farms without the NOW Accelerator programme.

-The support provided by Narve Hansen from the NOW Accelerator and the Wazoku team has been instrumental to the success of the initiative, and we look forward to working with the NOW in the future to help develop a thriving offshore wind industry in Norway, says Proskovics. 

Invitation for New Partners

As the offshore wind sector continues to evolve, there is still much to be done. The NOW Accelerator invites new industry partners to join this transformative initiative. 

-By collaborating with innovators, startups, and scaleups, partners can help unlock new solutions, reduce costs, and speed up the transition to a sustainable energy future. Together, we can accelerate the growth of offshore wind and address the challenges of tomorrow, says Accelerator Manager Narve Hansen. 

These are the challenges and the winners from 2024: