Marine-i event showcases the pioneering work of Cornwall’s marine tech businesses
Setting the scene
On 1st November 2019, Marine-i hosted the Marine
Tech Transformers event at Heartlands, Pool.
The overall aim of the day was to showcase some of the
award-winning technology, products for global markets and cutting-edge industry
and research collaborations which have benefited from the support of Marine-i.
Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund,
Marine-i was designed to help the marine tech sector in Cornwall and the Isles
of Scilly grow through harnessing the full potential of research and
innovation.
Introducing the day, Prof Lars Johanning of University of
Exeter, lead partner for Marine-i, highlighted a number of the key achievements
of the project. These include supporting 100 Cornish businesses with market-led
RD&I, providing grant support to 61 innovation projects, helping bring 14
new products to market, and leveraging £1.25 million in private match funding.
He says:
“Marine-i has helped to transform marine technology
innovation in Cornwall. The county now has the potential to play a pivotal role
in the sustainable marine industries of the future, including marine energy,
marine manufacturing, maritime operations and marine environmental
technologies. Cornwall is becoming recognised as a world player in these
important growth technologies.”
The keynote speech was delivered by Technology Chairman and
NED, Robert Salvoni, whose theme was Beyond the Horizon. Drawing on his
wide experience of running specialist, hi-tech businesses, Robert detailed many
of the vital elements that businesses of this kind must pay attention to in
order to be successful. These include closely monitoring your key performance
indicators, so that you have a clear picture of the overall health of the
business, and exercising tight control of your finances, especially cash flow.
Delegates were then shown the legacy video produced by the Marine-i team, which brought to
life the exciting breadth and scope of marine innovation that has emerged from
Cornwall over the life of the project.
Session 1
: Focus on Collaborative Research
This session was compered by Simon Cheeseman of The Offshore
Renewable Energy Catapult, who introduced four groundbreaking projects.
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners: Dr Giovanni Rinaldi
of University of Exeter explained the work done to develop a new modular
mooring system to be manufactured locally and deployed using existing local
vessels. This will give Falmouth Harbour the potential to attract more cruise
ship operators.
AMOG: Peter Mazurenko of AMOG and Dr Scott Brown of
University detailed the exciting progress made in the development of AMOG’s revolutionary
wave energy device. After exhaustive trials at University of Plymouth’s COAST
Lab a 1:3 scale device was installed at FaBTest and successfully generated
power.
3D Kernow: Louis Turner of 3D Kernow and Dr Tessa
Gordelier of University of Exeter explained their project to improve the
mechanical strength of 3D printed components. These findings will allow marine
sector clients to take advantage of the full potential offered by this
technology.
ARC Marine: Tom Birbeck of ARC Marine and Dr Scott
Brown of University of Plymouth presented the pioneering Reef Cubes product,
which can be used to create artificial reefs to provide lasting marine habitats
for some of our most precious species.
Session
2: Focus on Supporting Growth
Matt Hodson, Marine Hub Operations Director for Cornwall
Development Company, a partner in the Marine-i project, introduced five
developments where Marine-i has helped local businesses take advantage of
important growth opportunities.
Inyanga-Tech: Managing Director Richard Parkinson
presented their cutting-edge innovation in tidal energy. Their HydroWing
technology greatly reduces the dependency on offshore vessels during the
construction phase, improving commercial viability – even in remote areas.
Subsea Minerals: Chairman Robert Gooden explained how
their unique Subsea Scout Drill provides a combined platform and drilling unit
which delivers faster landing on the seabed and much quicker mineral
collection. It is self-levelling, so it can operate in wide variety of seabed
conditions.
Imetrum: Marketing Manager, Mandy Jackson and
Research Engineer, Nicholas Burn explained Imetrum’s new, non-invasive sensing
technology for wind turbines and marine diesel engines. This will use Machine
Learning to analyse the performance of moving parts to optimise performance and
maintenance.
Submarine Technology Limited: Managing Director David
Kirkley presented STL’s new multi-axis robotic arm technology. This will enable
intervention tasks to be carried out from manned or autonomous vessels used in
the inspection and repair of offshore installations.
Unmanned Survey Solutions: Director James Williams
presented their Accession Class unmanned survey vessel, which is designed to
perform long endurance missions for the offshore industries. This innovative
vessel will also be able to launch and recover drones for aerial inspections.
Daniel Hook, an Independent Maritime Consultant, gave
a talk on the future of the industry, detailing the challenges ahead and the
new opportunities for our marine businesses, and how we need to support them in
order to help them reach their full potential.
Showcase
Exhibition
Lisa Beverley-Jones, Marine-i Project Manager, gave the
closing address for the event and thanked all the businesses that had taken
part and the delegates that had taken time to attend. She also invited
delegates to attend a special Marine-i Showcase Exhibition staged at the
event, where they could see for themselves many of the new marine technologies
described above.
A bright
future for our marine technology
Commenting this highly successful event, Prof Lars Johanning
says:
“Marine-i has been a powerful catalyst for innovation and
has proven that there is massive ambition among marine businesses in Cornwall
to develop pioneering solutions to worldwide challenges. Marine-i has provided
the vital support they needed to de-risk the RD&I process and unlock the
huge potential that exists in the region.
“Marine-i has helped to create an environment where
innovative marine businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly now have a
much greater chance of long-term success. That is our legacy and we look
forward to seeing these foundations being built upon.”
The
Marine Tech Transformers brochure
Marine-i has produced a special brochure telling the story
of the work that has been done to accelerate marine technology innovation in
Cornwall from 2017 to 2019.
The brochure explains the aims and impact of the Marine-i
project, contains profiles of 75 of the businesses that have been involved, and
features detailed case studies on 10 of the industry-leading projects that have
been supported.
You can download your copy of Marine Tech Transformers here.