| Offshore Renewables

Ensuring safe and sustainable wind energy, with next-generation aviation and environmental solutions

The UK government has set an ambitious target of generating up to 50GW of electricity through offshore wind farms by 2030. To achieve this, more fixed-bottom and floating wind turbines will need to be installed across the country. However, this expansion has raised concerns about potential interference with primary surveillance radar capabilities and air traffic control systems used by military air defence.

To address the significant challenge faced by the Ministry of Defence, various technology providers, equipment manufacturers, and developers are collaborating to integrate wind farm mitigation for UK air defence. The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is facilitating this collaboration by soliciting proposals and supporting the development of technologies that enable the coexistence of offshore wind farms with UK air defence surveillance systems, promoting a more harmonious relationship between the evolving offshore wind industry and the crucial work of UK air defence.

LiveLink Aerospace is proud to be one of the companies working with the DASA and The UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (ESNZ) to develop further technologies that help balance the increasing need for wind farms against their impact on defence radar surveillance and security. Our passive air defence technology solution is designed to improve the capabilities of air defence radars and surveillance systems by enhancing their performance. They can provide advanced passive detection and tracking capabilities, enabling real-time situational awareness and enhanced threat identification. 

These multi-role, passive air defence sensors are highly reliable, scalable, and adaptable to different operational environments. Placed on the nacelles of wind turbines, they considerably reduce the radar clutter caused by the turbine blades while eliminating gaps in radar coverage created by wind farms, making them ideal for military and civilian applications.

The Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine

LiveLink Aerospace is proud to work with organisations like the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP), Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, and the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to develop intelligent 'smart' systems for wildlife monitoring, safer aviation, and radar stability around offshore wind farms. 

The Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine (LDT) is the world's most advanced open-access offshore wind turbine, specifically designed for research. It is pivotal to a world-leading program for developing clean, environmentally friendly energy production.