– IDCORE programme, based at the University of Edinburgh, receives £6 million in funding for another five years from EPSRC
– IDCORE collaborates with universities and ORE companies to train engineers and solve industry challenges in offshore renewable energy
– Students in the programme work on project-based research in companies, leading to impactful solutions and employment opportunities within the sector.
The IDCORE programme, based at the University of Edinburgh, has been renewed for another five years with a £6 million grant from the EPSRC. This programme aims to bring academia and industry together to co-design solutions for offshore renewable energy (ORE). Collaborating with universities such as Exeter, Swansea, and Strathclyde, IDCORE works with companies in the ORE sector to train engineers and support the UK’s net-zero strategy.
The programme’s research engineers assist companies in improving efficiencies by addressing challenges such as turbulence impact on tidal turbine generators, using oil and gas infrastructure for hydrogen, and selecting appropriate vessels for maintaining offshore energy installations. Through project-based research in companies, students develop solutions to real-world problems, leading to tangible impacts such as cost savings and technological advancements.
Since its inception in 2011, IDCORE has placed 107 students in 57 companies, with half transitioning to employment with the same company upon completion. The programme receives funding from EPSRC, company sponsorships, and partner universities. The ongoing success and impact of IDCORE demonstrate the value of industry-academia collaboration in fostering innovation in offshore renewables.