EDF Renewables and NCKU Sign MOU to Boost Floating Offshore Wind Development in Taiwan
EDF Renewables and NCKU Sign MOU to Boost Floating Offshore Wind Development in Taiwan
EDF Renewables and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (23rd). The MOU aims to strengthen cooperation in offshore wind technology research and talent development, accelerating the growth of floating offshore wind power in Taiwan.
This MOU builds on their 2023 collaboration with Professor Ruei-Yuan Yang's team from NCKU's Department of Hydraulic & Ocean Engineering. The project's first phase focused on assessing the impact of extreme weather conditions in the Taiwan Strait on floating wind turbines. The 2nd phase, scheduled for 2024 in collaboration with the Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center, will focus on extreme survival analysis, fatigue life assessment, and cable failure analysis for floating turbines in typhoon conditions.
Dean Chien-Teng Jan of the College of Engineering at NCKU expressed, "We are thrilled to collaborate with EDF Renewables. This partnership not only offers valuable learning opportunities for our faculty and students but also supports Taiwan's energy industry and sustainability goals."
As Taiwan's only international developer with experience in floating offshore wind farm construction, EDF Renewables is leveraging its expertise through its innovative simulation tool, DIEGO, which integrates wind turbine, platform, and mooring systems while analyzing the impact of wind, waves, and currents. DIEGO will also help identify optimal floating platforms for Taiwan's specific sea conditions.
Ming Lung-Chang, General Manager of EDF Renewables Taiwan, emphasized the importance of technical assessments at every stage of project development, stating that the collaboration will support the engineering design of the Wei Lan Hai Miaoli Floating Offshore Wind Project. Josué Serres, Director of Academic Cooperation and Culture at the French Office in Taipei, highlighted the necessity of collaboration in addressing climate change, praising the partnership between EDF Renewables and NCKU as a prime example of industry-academic cooperation driving Taiwan's renewable energy deployment.
Sun-Yuan Hsieh, Vice President for International Affairs, stated, "NCKU is committed to promoting international academic and industrial cooperation. This collaboration will prepare future engineers and innovators to tackle energy challenges. We look forward to a productive partnership that advances innovation and sustainability."
The signing event was accompanied by a seminar on Taiwan-France scientific collaboration, further strengthening bilateral ties in research and development.
