Denmark-based Ørsted (www.orsted.dk), a global leader in offshore wind power, has signed a five-year researchagreement with the University of Oxford to optimise the design of foundation structures for wind turbines.

Continuing to drive down costs is critical for the offshore wind industry, and Ørsted is working with several universities to help improve the design and performance of wind turbines.

A major collaboration on design is currently on-going with Durham University, and the latest agreement with the University of Oxford will focus specifically on foundations.

More-advanced geo-technical designs for foundations can make a major impact on cost reduction. Ørsted and the University of Oxford have already collaborated on a range of projects over the last 10 years, including the recently completed Pile Soil Analysis project, leading to significant design improvements.

Christina Aabo, head of R&D at Ørsted Wind Power, said: “This partnership will enable us to further mature our foundation designs to support even bigger turbines in even deeper waters, reducing costs and the risk level at the same time.”

The focus of the research will be on cyclic loading, which comes from the action of wind and waves, as well as the operation of the turbine.