Encomara, a visionary newcomer to the global renewables sector, is poised for rapid growth following the launch of its ground-breaking solutions for floating offshore wind installation.
The Scottish firm's unique approach and patented turbine installation technology introduces a new era of full life-cycle efficiency, safety, sustainability and reliability to floating offshore wind operations globally, irrespective of water depth.
Its pioneering Strategic Wind InFrasTructure (SWIFT) system integrates new and established technologies in a holistic and life-cycle cost approach for floating wind which significantly reduces the levelized cost of electricity.
Significant R&D investment has resulted in the company's first patented product, SQUID; a quick connector for power cables, mooring lines and anchor interfaces, which provides a rapid and simplified plug-to-power' capability. It allows for the pre-installation and pre-commissioning of all marine hardware, reducing cost and risk by enabling rapid deployment of multiple Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) in higher sea states and in extended weather windows. Additionally, by enabling a viable tow-to-port' methodology, SQUID delivers similar cost and duration reductions during the operational, re-power and decommissioning phases.
Encomara CEO Raymond Semple said: "By 2050, 15% of all offshore wind energy generated is forecast to come from floating offshore wind turbines, which equates to 15,000 turbines1. We are extremely well positioned to maximise this strong market potential with our agile and dynamic approach to delivering fast-turnaround turbine installation, operations and maintenance scopes, and eventual decommissioning.
"We've taken inspiration from the scale-up success of fixed wind as well as other offshore sectors' methodologies, culminating in solutions which are safer, greener, faster, cheaper, and higher yielding than the traditional installation methods.
"It also aligns with operators' ESG strategies and the industry's increasing commitment to sustainability and local stakeholder engagement."
Encomara was founded by four industry stalwarts, each with more than 30 years of energy sector experience, including in wave, tidal, fixed and floating offshore wind. This includes Ian Cobban, chief operating officer, Malcolm Bowie, chief technology officer, Ian Donald, executive chairman, alongside Semple, the CEO. The team are looking to recruit key onshore personnel and engineering talent in the next six months.
The business is exhibiting at the Floating Offshore Wind event at the P&J Live in Aberdeen today (Weds 4th Oct) and tomorrow and can be located on stand H60.
Issued on behalf of Encomara by BIG Partnership. For more information, or to arrange interviews during Floating Offshore Wind, please contact Pam.Wilson@bigpartnership.co.uk on 07772 287 588.
Encomara's SWIFT (Strategic Wind Infrastructure) approach introduces a new era of full life-cycle efficiency, safety and sustainability
SQUID is an integrated connect & disconnect system for FOWT moorings and power cables which enables rapid plug-to-power' and safer installation
About Encomara:
Encomara was established in 2022 to solve the challenge of supporting floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT) reaching first power faster.
The Aberdeen firm's IP SQUID technology is its first solution and fully embraces the team's Strategic Wind InFrasTructure (SWIFT) philosophy of simplicity and efficiency.
The SQUID system integrates all associated hardware components, such as power cables and connectors, mooring lines, and anchor interfaces to provide a rapid and simplified "Plug to Power" (P2P) capability. This drastically reduces the direct CAPEX and duration of FOWT build-out such that the resulting LCOE reduction will improve the commercial viability for some projects, together with expanding and enhancing local and national content and employment opportunities.
It also opens wider and more frequent operational weather windows with minimal intervention downtime, reducing vessel downtime/standby and helping to lower the carbon footprint of offshore wind projects. During FOWT deployment the SQUID is pulled into a dedicated J-tube in a single lift which enables rapid installation of multiple FOWTs. The J-tube configuration is agnostic' to various hull interface configurations.
Encomara has reduced hazardous high tension deck operations and, by suspending pre-installed power cables and upper moorings below the splash zone, have ensured high operability FOWT installation, while minimising seabed and marine mammal disturbance.
By also enabling a viable Tow to Port (T2P) methodology for O&M, the SQUID solves the Carbon Trust's FW JIP Phase III challenge and provides the standard approach called for by the floating wind industry. This attribute also delivers risk, cost and vessel duration reductions during the operational, re-power and decommissioning phases.
References:
1: DNV Floating Offshore Wind Report: https://www.dnv.com/focus-areas/floating-offshore-wind/floating-offshore-wind-the-next-five-years.html
Pam Wilson
Head of Media Relations - International
+44 (0) 7772 287 588
