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Napkin
IGP Priority
Industrialised Foundations & Substructures
Support received
Funding support
Developing a suite of purpose-driven IP to support the green energy transition.
Actively seeking ways to commercialise its existing intellectual property (IP).
Winner of ScottishPower Renewables innovation competition seeing alternatives to grout for jacket installation.
Working with Kent plc and Strathclyde University the business is actively looking for additional joint industry project partners to scale the technology for offshore demonstration.
Business profile
The funding enabled Napkin (previously Cedeco) to work with the National Composite Centre and undertake a feasibility study exploring the use of composite materials in the design of its Non-Grouted Connector (NGC). Over a three-month period, experts from the National Composite Centre assessed the use of different materials, design configurations, manufacturing methods and costs and concluding with a lite Life Cycle Analysis.
Composite materials were found to be suitable for consideration as part of the design.
The NGC will significantly cut the time, cost and carbon emissions linked to installing jacket foundations.
The majority of offshore wind turbines to date have been installed with monopile foundations, suitable for shallow waters. As shallow water sites become saturated, jacket foundations – those better suited to medium-depth water – are required.
The installation of jackets is time-consuming, expensive and achieving a quality joint in-field is difficult to do.
Napkin’s mechanical connector is entirely grout free. It offers a repeatable, reliable process to connect jacket to pile, reducing risk, time, cost, CO2 emissions and environmental impact. Developed and supported by industry sector experts, the design is often described as a’ door wedge with extras’ where the extras are the clever bits of engineering that ensure the loads are transferred properly and that the wedge stays in place.
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The NGC will significantly cut the time, cost and carbon emissions linked to installing jacket foundations.
Composite materials were found to be suitable for consideration as part of the design.
OWGP funded project with the National Composites Centre helped secure follow-on funding from the likes of DESNZ, the Net Zero Technology Centre's TechX and the EU
Before
Prior to engaging with OWGP, Napkin was in the early stages of concept design of its Non-Grouted Connector (NGC). The company won the Scottish Power Renewables Innovation Competition in 2018 and was confident that using composites as part of the NGC’s design would produce a lighter component which was easier to fabricate and handle. A lighter product that was cheaper to transport could also increase potential export opportunities. The technology was still at a very early stage of development and as composite materials hadn’t necessarily been used in these conditions before, Napkin sought funding to undertake a feasibility study.
What they say
“
Working with OWGP, we got more than we bargained for – in a good way! The funding allowed us to access expertise at the National Composite Centre and the findings from that initial feasibility study have allowed us to go on and secure additional funding and partners to help develop and bring the solution to market.”
JACQUELINE MORRISON
Director, Napkin Innovation Ltd.
