To learn more about our commonalities and how we can assist each other in the strive for green energy, a delegation from Japan’s Floating Offshore Wind Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) visited SINTEF last week. They were given a tour of the Ocean Laboratory, SINTEF Energy Lab, the Maritime energy systems laboratory, Marine structures laboratory and the National Smart Grid Laboratory.
“In the short time I spent at SINTEF, I was impressed by the wide range of high-quality research and development activities and the different solutions they offer to society, while at the same time attracting attractive talent from all over the world as a centre of knowledge and innovation,” said Masakatsu Terazaki, Chairman of FLOWRA.
“Above all, the vision of ‘Technology for a better society’ is very much in line with where we are heading. At FLOWRA, we want to make floating offshore wind energy practical and widespread as soon as possible, but we recognise that it is essential to solve not only the technology but also the system as a whole.”
“We have high hopes that our cooperation with SINTEF will deepen in the future in order to fulfil our mission, and we hope that this will be the case,” he concluded.
The meetings were of mutual benefit, and Øyvind Hellan Vice president research, SINTEF Ocean commented: “It is very interesting and welcome that Japan is voicing such clear commitment with respect to offshore wind. With their sea conditions, focus will be on solutions for floating offshore wind, an area where SINTEF Ocean has special knowledge and skills. We are looking forward to developing close relations and collaboration with Japanese industry and agencies in this area.”
Gard Hopsdal Hansen, director of FME NorthWind Research Centre added: "It is an honour to host FLOWRA and showcase the cutting-edge research facilities at SINTEF and NTNU. NorthWind and FLOWRA share a strong alignment in goals, and we are excited to continue our discussions and explore opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration."
