Narec Explained

National Renewable Energy Centre
Type:Not for profit company
Foundation:2002
Founder:One NorthEast
Location City:Blyth, Northumberland
Location Country:England
Key People:Andrew Jamieson (CEO)
Industry:Renewable energy
Energy efficiency
Services:Testing
Certification
Demonstration

Narec, since 2014 known as the National Renewable Energy Centre, is a part of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, a British technology innovation and research centre for offshore wind power, wave energy, tidal energy and low carbon technologies. ORE Catapult's head office is in Glasgow, Scotland. The centre operates multi-purpose offshore renewable energy test and demonstration facilities.[1] It is similar to other centres, such as NREL in the US[2] and (CENER) in Spain. The National Renewable Energy Centre is based in Blyth, Northumberland.

History

Originally known as NaREC (New and Renewable Energy Centre), the centre was created in 2002 by One NorthEast, the North East regional development agency, as part of the Strategy for Success programme.[3] In 2010 the organisation changed its name to Narec (National Renewable Energy Centre).[4] In April 2014, the organisation merged with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult to focus on the development and cost reduction of offshore wind, wave and tidal energy across the UK.[5] [6]

The organisation was originally involved in a wide range of technologies, including:

In 2010, due to UK government cutbacks, Narec closed, sold off or separated parts of the business. Spin-off companies include:

Decerna – Working on energy efficiency, solar farm design, preparation of MW-scale battery sites, grid connection, and life-cycle assessment.[8] The company was renamed from Narec Distributed Energy Limited in 2022.[9] [10]

Solar Capture Technologies – Specialises on bespoke and novel solar photovoltaic systems, including off-grid systems.[11] Renamed from Narec Solar in 2013.[12]

NCL Technology Ventures – A specialist healthcare investor,[13] originally created by Narec and Ashberg Limited.[14] Renamed from Narec Capital in 2013.[15]

Renewable Risk Advisers Limited – renamed from Narec Capital Risk Solutions Limited in 2012.[16]

Following its merger with ORE Catapult, the National Renewable Energy Centre now focuses on helping to de-risk and accelerate the development and commercialisation of the offshore renewable energy industry in the UK.

Operations

The National Renewable Energy Centre is involved in:

Wind turbine rotor blades

Product certification, verification and investigations for the next generation offshore wind turbines.[17] [18] [19] [20]

Power trains and components

3MW and 15MW facilities that can perform independent performance and reliability assessments of full systems and components.[21] [22]

Electrical networks

UKAS accredited laboratories with specialist test and measurement facilities to help develop technologies needed for developing power systems and exploring life extension opportunities for ageing assets.[23]

Subsea trials and demonstrations

Controlled onshore salt water location for all stages of technology development.[24]

Resource measurement and assessment

Open access facility for testing, calibrating and verifying remote sensor technologies[25]

Closed facilities

Clothier High Voltage Laboratory

The Clothier Electrical Testing Laboratory was opened in 1970 by A. Reyrolle & Company. Narec took over the facility in 2004, to use it to test the robustness of electrical infrastructure offshore locations to onshore sites.[26]

Although one of the few high voltage testing facilities in the world, the facility was closed by Narec in 2011 due to a lack of government funding.[27] Many parts of the lab were relocated to Narec's main campus in Blyth. The ruins of the original lab are now the property of Siemens.[28]

Current facilities

Charles Parsons Technology Centre

Built in 2004, this £5m facility contains a low voltage electrical laboratory for the testing of connecting renewable energy systems to the transmission and distribution grid.[29] Some of the equipment and staff from the closed Narec Clothier Electrical Testing Laboratory were moved to this facility.[30]

Training tower

This is a 27m high tower, for training of offshore wind technicians.[31]

Dry docks

Tests marine devices with three modified dry docks.[32]

Power train test facilities – 3MW and 15MW

Facilities that can perform independent performance and reliability assessments of full systems and components.[22] [33]

Blade test 1 & 2

The blade testing facilities at National Renewable Energy Centre are designed to test wind turbine blades up to 100m in length. Blades are tested using a Compact Resonant Mass (CRM) system. ORE Catapult is working on a technique of blade testing known as "Dual Axis".[34] [35]

European funded research

ORE Catapult is involved in a number of European funded research projects including Tidal EC, Optimus and LIFES50+.[36]

Conferences and papers

Narec staff have written papers which have appeared in journals and international energy conferences. These are mainly in the subjects of photovoltaics, wind, marine, and electrical infrastructure. A short list of some of these is given below:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Test & Demonstration assets – Catapult. ore.catapult.org.uk. 2015-12-08.
  2. Web site: At the Heart of Innovation. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216002837/http://www.narec.co.uk/ . 16 February 2008 . dead.
  3. Web site: Strategy For Success Personal Growth Development Inspiration at Strategyforsuccess.info. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721233940/http://www.strategyforsuccess.info/page/news/article.cfm?articleId=1400. 2011-07-21.
  4. Web site: OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY CATAPULT. CompaniesInTheUK.
  5. Web site: ORE Catapult and Narec merge. reNEWS – Renewable Energy News. 2015-12-08.
  6. Web site: Narec to merge with Glasgow's Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. journallive. 2015-12-08.
  7. Web site: Welcome to NaREC. https://web.archive.org/web/20080216002837/http://www.narec.co.uk/. 16 February 2008. narec.co.uk.
  8. Web site: About us . 2023-03-02 . Decerna . 2 September 2022 . en-GB.
  9. Web site: Decerna Limited . 2 March 2023 . Companies House.
  10. Web site: Narec Distributed Energy . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120715031103/http://www.narecde.co.uk/ . 15 July 2012 . Internet Archive.
  11. Web site: Solar Capture Technologies . 2 March 2023 .
  12. Web site: Solar Capture Technologies Limited . 2 March 2023 . Companies House.
  13. Web site: NCL Technology Ventures.
  14. Web site: Narec Capital looking to raise £300m of funding. journallive Administrator. 4 July 2011. journallive.
  15. Web site: NCL Technology Ventures . 16 September 2023 . Companies House.
  16. Web site: Renewable Risk Advisers Limited . 2 March 2023 . Companies House.
  17. Web site: North American Windpower: ETI Invests In Narec Offshore Wind Test Facility. nawindpower.com. 7 July 2011.
  18. Web site: OneNortheast.com.
  19. Web site: Narec reveals plans for giant turbine blade testing facility. businessgreen.com. 14 December 2009.
  20. Web site: NAREC. wig.co.uk.
  21. Web site: Construction begins on the world's largest wind turbine drive train test facility. ETI. 2015-12-08.
  22. Web site: Samsung to test 7MW offshore turbine at UK's new Narec facility – Renewable Energy Focus. www.renewableenergyfocus.com. 2015-12-08.
  23. Web site: Catapult lab raises HV ceiling. reNEWS – Renewable Energy News. 2015-12-08.
  24. News: UK: Tekmar Demonstrates Its Cable Protection Systems at ORE Catapult. Offshore Energy. 10 July 2014. 2015-12-08.
  25. Web site: Axys to deploy WindSentinel at UK's ORE Catapult. www.rechargenews.com. 2015-12-08.
  26. Web site: Chronicle Live: Number one for news, opinion, sport & celebrity gossip.
  27. Web site: Plug could be pulled on testing lab. shieldsgazette.com.
  28. Web site: Urban explorers highlight the decay of the highest voltage lab in the world. newstatesman.com. 10 June 2021.
  29. Web site: One North Finance – Borrow Short Term Cash. 4 May 2022.
  30. Web site: Narec Electrical Networks info. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120420191926/http://www.narec.co.uk/electrical_networks_info/. 2012-04-20.
  31. Web site: Narec's wind turbine training tower ready for use. https://web.archive.org/web/20110103224701/http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/8202/narecs-wind-turbine-training-tower-ready-for-use/. January 3, 2011. dead. Elsevier Ltd. renewableenergyfocus.com.
  32. Web site: New boss takes over at NaREC. newspostleader.co.uk.
  33. Web site: Foxwell . David . Larger turbines and ambitious targets challenge testing capability . Riviera . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029160149/https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/larger-turbines-and-ambitious-targets-challenge-testing-capability-61422 . 29 October 2020 . En . 26 October 2020 . live.
  34. Web site: Conference programme – EWEA 2015 Event. www.ewea.org. 2015-12-08.
  35. Web site: New Modular Blade Dynamics Wind Turbine Blade Begins Testing In Blyth. CleanTechnica. 2015-12-08. 13 August 2015.
  36. Web site: Our community – Catapult. ore.catapult.org.uk. 2015-12-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20150503083208/https://ore.catapult.org.uk/our-community. 3 May 2015. dead.
  37. Web site: "SnapperTM": an efficient and compact direct electric power take-off device for wave energy converters. https://web.archive.org/web/20201230003745/http://www.snapperfp7.eu/content/download/3176/48090/version/1/file/569309f66625676599b4b79a2547f9a3.pdf. December 30, 2020.
  38. Web site: World Maritime Technology Conference . 21 November 2011 . 20 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192125/http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/wmtc2006programmefinal.pdf . dead .
  39. Web site: World Renewable Energy Congress VIII BOOK OF ABSTRACTS . 21 November 2011 . 20 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192135/http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/36703.pdf . dead .
  40. Bivariate empirical mode decomposition and its contribution to wind turbine condition monitoring . 10.1016/j.jsv.2011.02.027 . 330. 15 . Journal of Sound and Vibration. 3766–3782. 2011JSV...330.3766Y. 2011 . Yang . Wenxian . Court . Richard . Tavner . Peter J. . Crabtree . Christopher J. .
  41. IET Digital Library: Experimental tests of an air-cored PM tubular generator for direct drive wave energy converters. 747–751. M.A. Mueller-N.J. Baker-L. Ran-N.G. Chong- Hong Wei-P.J. Tavner-P. McKeever. theiet.org. 10.1049/cp:20080621. January 2008.
  42. Web site: Fatigue Testing of Wind Turbine Blades with Computation Verification . 21 November 2011 . 25 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120425235224/http://www.supergen-wind.org.uk/Phase1/docs/Court,%20Ridley,%20Jones,%20Bonnet%20and%20Dutton-17ICCM2009.pdf . dead .
  43. Web site: Ensuring Reliability for Offshore Wind Turbines – Large Testing Facilities . 21 November 2011 . 25 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120425235224/http://www.taplondon.co.uk/bweaoffshore/files/RichardCourt.pdf . dead .
  44. Web site: BWEA30 Conference Programme - Overview. https://web.archive.org/web/20120425235224/http://www.bwea30.com/pdf/BWEA30Programme.pdf . April 25, 2012.
  45. Web site: CIRED2011 0030 final. cired.ir.
  46. Web site: Ensuring Reliability for Marine Renewable Drive Train Systems – Nautilus Testing Facilities . 21 November 2011 . 20 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192415/http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/Published_Papers/ICOE2010_Nautilus_Paper_Jamie_Grimwade.pdf . dead .
  47. Web site: LGBC Silicon Solar Cell with modified bus bar suitable for high volume wire bonding . 21 November 2011 . 20 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192459/http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/Published_Papers/2010_PVSAT6_-_LGBC_Silicon_Solar_Cell_with_modified_bus_bar_suitable_for_high_volume_wire_bonding.pdf . dead .
  48. Web site: Process and device modelling for enhancement of silicon solar cell efficiency . 21 November 2011 . 20 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192521/http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/Published_Papers/2010_PVSAT6_-_Process_and_device_modelling_for_enhancement_of_silicon_solar_cell_efficiency.pdf . dead .
  49. Web site: An Intelligent Approach to the Condition Monitoring of Large Scale Wind Turbines . 21 November 2011 . 20 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192604/http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/An_Intelligent_Approach_to_the_Condition_Monitoring_of.pdf . dead .
  50. Web site: Lightning Arresters and Substation Protection . 21 November 2011 . 20 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192533/http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/Chris_Ebden.pdf . dead .
  51. Web site: STUDY ON LASER PARAMETERS FOR SILICON SOLAR CELLS WITH LCP SELECTIVE EMITTERS . 20 November 2011 . 20 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420191941/http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/pdf/Study_on_Laser_Parameters.pdf . dead .
  52. Web site: 157 666. b-dig.iie.org.mx.
  53. Web site: 4th Photovoltaic Science, Applications and Technology Conference C89 . 21 November 2011 . 25 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120425235244/http://www.pvsat.org.uk/PVSAT-4%20_Programme_Final.pdf . dead .
  54. Web site: Articoli 2008-2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110122234519/http://www.casaccia.enea.it/sicri/uk/articoli/fr-0810.htm. 2011-01-22.
  55. Web site: BLDSS. bl.uk.
  56. Book: 10.1109/PVSC.2008.4922438. Process optimisation for coloured laser grooved buried contact solar cells. 2008 33rd IEEE Photovolatic Specialists Conference. 1–4. 2008. Devenport. S.. Roberts. S.. Heasman. K.C.. Cole. A.. Tregurtha. D.. Bruton. T.M.. 978-1-4244-1640-0. 30763980.
  57. EU PVSEC Proceedings. 1-5 September 2008. 3516–3519. WIP Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur GmbH & Co Planungs KG. Eupvsec-proceedings.com. 10.4229/23rdEUPVSEC2008-5BV.2.63. 2008. 20 February 2024 .
  58. EU PVSEC Proceedings. 1-5 September 2008. 1677–1681. WIP Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur GmbH & Co Planungs KG. Eupvsec-proceedings.com. 10.4229/23rdEUPVSEC2008-2CV.5.28. 2008. 20 February 2024 .
  59. Web site: SCREEN PRINTING IN LASER GROOVED BURIED CONTACT SOLAR CELLS: THE LAB2LINE HYBRID PROCESSES . 21 November 2011 . 20 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192546/http://www.narec.co.uk/cmsfiles/narec/Published_Papers/2CV_1_71.pdf . dead .
  60. Web site: BLDSS. bl.uk.
  61. EU PVSEC Proceedings. 21-25 September 2009. 1318–1322. WIP Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur GmbH & Co Planungs KG. Eupvsec-proceedings.com. 10.4229/24thEUPVSEC2009-2CV.1.55. 2009. 20 February 2024 .
  62. Web site: Emerging Technologies and Materials – School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering – Newcastle University. https://archive.today/20120904004852/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/eece/research/groups/etm/etm-pv.htm. dead. 2012-09-04. ncl.ac.uk.
  63. Web site: Photovoltaics International.
  64. Surface passivation by silicon nitride in Laser Grooved Buried Contact (LGBC) si. Harvard.edu . 2009SuMi...45..234C. 10.1016/j.spmi.2008.10.044. Claudio . G. . Bass . K. . Heasman . K. . Cole . A. . Roberts . S. . Watson . S. . Boreland . M. . 2009 . 45 . 4–5 . 234 .
  65. Web site: Optimisation of the Front Contact for Low to Medium Concentrations in LGBC Silicon Solar Cells. cnki.com.cn.
  66. Book: 10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279586. Laser Grooved Buried Contact Solar Cells for Concentration Factors up to 100x. 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference. 834–837. 2006. Cole. A.. Heasman. K.C.. Mellor. A.. Roberts. S.. Bruton. T.M.. 1-4244-0016-3. 24328214.
  67. Web site: 人人妻人人澡人人爱碰_高清不卡一区二区三区香蕉_伊人色综合琪琪久久社区_久久国产精品只做精品. www.eurosun2006.org. 4 May 2022.
  68. Web site: 21st EU PVSEC Proceedings Table of... p12611.typo3server.info.
  69. Laser grooved buried contact sola... preview & related info – Mendeley. 1. 834–837. Conference Record of the 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Wcpec-4. 10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279586. 2006. Bruton. T. M.. Roberts. S.. Mellor. A.. Heasman. K. C.. Cole. A.. 24328214.
  70. Web site: FRONT CONTACT MODELLING OF MONOCRYSTALLINE SILICON LASER GROOVED. Docstoc.com.
  71. Web site: Workshop on Concentrating Photovoltaic Power Plants: Optical Design and Power. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120331084218/http://www.concentrating-pv.org/marburg2007/program.html. 2012-03-31.
  72. Web site: BLDSS. bl.uk.
  73. EU PVSEC Proceedings. 6-10 September 2010. 941–945. WIP Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur GmbH & Co Planungs KG. Eupvsec-proceedings.com. 10.4229/25thEUPVSEC2010-1DV.5.28. 2010.
  74. Web site: apollon-eu.org. 4 May 2022.
  75. Web site: process development of shape and colour in lgbc solar cells for – Docstoc Search – Page 1. docstoc.com.
  76. EU PVSEC Proceedings. 21-25 September 2009. 4276–4279. WIP Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur GmbH & Co Planungs KG. Eupvsec-proceedings.com. 10.4229/24thEUPVSEC2009-5BV.2.80. 2009. 20 February 2024 .
  77. Web site: Workshop on Concentrating Photovoltaic Power Plants: Optical Design and Grid Connection. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101023040402/http://www.concentrating-pv.org/darmstadt2009/papers.html. 2010-10-23.
  78. Book: 10.1109/PVSC.2009.5411295. First results on the apollon project multi-approach for high efficiency integrated and intelligent concentrating PV modules (Systems). 2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC). 002424–002429. 2009. Timo. G.. Martinelli. A.. Minuto. A.. Schineller. B.. Sagnes. I.. Jakomin. R.. Beaudoin. G.. Gogneau. Noelle. Noack. M.. Padovani. S.. Borshchov. S.. Kenny. R.. Sarno. A.. Georghiou. G.E. Zurru. P.. Sturm. M.. Wild - Scholten. M.. Bellia. G.. Gigliucci. G.. Medina. E.. Heasman. K.. Martinelli. G.. 978-1-4244-2949-3. 24693430.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Narec".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.