North Tyneside cleantech scale-up to create jobs via “pioneering” partnership

North East cleantech scale-up Kinewell Energy has signed a multi-year global contract with Equinor for the use of its “pioneering” KLOC software.

Initially launched in 2015, the Kinewell Layout Optimisation of Cable (KLOC) software designs economically optimised inter-array cable layouts for offshore wind farms. Kinewell Energy has collaborated with Equinor since its inception on various demonstration projects, working with teams in the UK, USA and South Korea.

Following demonstration projects, Kinewell Energy provided commercial consultancy services to optimise the cable layout of Equinor’s Beacon offshore wind project near Massachusetts, which will provide power to New York state.

The new contract will enable KLOC to be made available for utilisation by Equinor staff in-house to support the company’s global offshore wind development pipeline.

In addition to the KLOC software, the partnership will enable Equinor to utilise Kinewell’s recently launched Heatmap modules. Kinewell Energy’s new Heatmap Module enables developers to improve the seabed surveying process during the planning phase of offshore wind farms, saving significant time and money.

Dr Andrew Jenkins, CEO and Founder of Kinewell Energy, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to have entered into this global partnership with Equinor, which will enable our software solutions to be deployed on major offshore developments the world-over.

“When we set up Kinewell Energy, we did so with the aim of developing a software solution that could help speed up and make it more cost effective to construct much-needed infrastructure projects to support our societal transition to net-zero and in Equinor we have a customer helping us to realise that ambition.

“Operating in over 30 countries, the company is playing a key role globally in the transition to embracing renewable energy and we are proud to be joining them on their journey as they break new ground and help solve the energy ‘trilemma’ of climate, affordability and security.”

Kinewell Energy has benefited from match-funding through the £3.5m Technology Innovation and Green Growth in Offshore Renewables (TIGGOR) programme in the North East of England, delivered by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Elected Metro Mayor for the North of Tyne, Jamie Driscoll, added: “This is a coup for the region, creating new jobs and opportunities. And it’s good news for the planet, as our windfarms become more efficient, cutting our reliance on fossil fuels. This is the Green New Deal in action.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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