Mainstream is recognised as a thought leader in the renewable energy sector, identifying where the challenges lie and providing innovative solutions.
• Reducing the cost of energy. Mainstream is a key member of the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) – one of the world’s leading technology research and development programmes designed to drive down the costs of offshore wind. Its main objective is to reduce costs by 10% over the next decade which would enable deployment to happen faster.
• First to install the “twisted jacket” foundation. SMart Wind will install its first met mast using the innovative ‘twisted jacket’ foundation in the Hornsea Zone demonstrating commitment to reducing the cost of energy.
• Bringing the “suction bucket” foundation into offshore wind to mitigate noise and simplify installation. Mainstream’s engineering team, together with innovative engineering companies,
accomplished a certified feasibility study and is now aiming for building a demonstrator in the North Sea.
• Pioneering the Supergrid. Mainstream’s advancement of the pan-European Supergrid proposal as a fundamental and necessary anchor for Europe’s energy future.
• Unrivalled experience. The Mainstream team brings together a decade of experience delivering significant infrastructure projects across four continents. Its people played a key role in delivering Ireland’s first offshore wind farm at Arklow and successfully developed the German Offshore Wind project Butendiek and the Greater Gabbard project in the UK which is one of the largest offshore wind farms currently in construction.
• Supply chain. Identification of key supply chain issues along with proposals for managing these issues and associated risks as part of a cost reduction programme.
• Trade associations. Mainstream is represented on the Board, or leadership council, of the main renewables trade bodies including the European Wind Energy Association, RenewableUK, RenewableUK Health and Safety group, the German Offshore Wind Forum (OFW), and the Offshore Wind Development Coalition in the US.
• Data management (ISIS). Mainstream is committed to developing an Integrated Sea Information System (ISIS) by working with stakeholders from industry, academia and government agencies.
– ISIS reduces project risk by setting data standards, aligning policies and centralising data collection, storage and analysis.
– ISIS brings the latest IT innovation to offshore wind development through visualisation and advanced predictive analysis.
– ISIS aligns fully with the EC Marine Knowledge 2020 Directive and will be developed in phases as the offshore wind industry expands.
