North Tyneside offshore specialist Kinewell Energy has signed a long-term global contract with Equinor for the use of its pioneering software.
The North Shields company’s KLOC (Kinewell layout optimisation of cable) software designs economically optimised inter-array layouts for offshore wind farms, playing ‘dot-to-dot’ to find the most cost-effective way of linking up turbines with cable to collect the energy generated. Kinewell, launched by Dr Andrew Jenkins in 2015, has collaborated with energy giant Equinor since its inception on a number of demonstration projects, working with teams in the UK, US and South Korea.
The North Shields company provided commercial consultancy services to optimise the cable layout of Equinor’s Beacon offshore wind project near Massachusetts, US, which will provide power to New York state. Now Kinewell’s KLOC system will be made available to Equinor in-house to support its worldwide offshore wind development pipeline.
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The partnership will also enable Equinor to use Kinewell’s recently launched Heatmap modules, which enable developers to improve the seabed surveying process during the planning phase of offshore wind farms, saving significant time and money.
Kinewell Energy now employs 10 people in the region, whose jobs will be supported by this new contract.
Dr Jenkins, CEO and founder of Kinewell Energy, said: “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.”
The KLOC software solution has already been successfully deployed on developments across Europe, Japan, South Korea, the US and China and typically delivers savings around 20% of cable system cost over a project lifetime.
The software can be licensed by clients to use in-house, or Kinewell Energy can work on behalf of clients in an advisory role. As part of the deal with Equinor, the Kinewell Energy team will provide training and support to Equinor’s staff for the software to be used internally.
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. Equinor is a delivery partner in the programme providing technical expertise.
North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “It’s great recognition for Kinewell – for their inventiveness and expertise. It’s promising for Equinor – helping them to work even more efficiently, cheaply, and sustainably. It’s 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.”
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