UK technology company Sennen has been selected by EDF Renewables, a major renewable energy player, to deliver a software system that will improve the operational efficiency and safety of its global offshore wind projects.
The five-year contract was awarded as part of a competitive tender process involving several other technology companies.
The new technology will enable EDF Renewables to manage operations across its international portfolio notably in France and United Kingdom, using one centralised system. This multi-site capability is crucial to EDF Renewables as it continues to expand its portfolio.
The Sennen system will power the control room for the wind farms, maximising the use of valuable technicians and vessels while ensuring safe working. It will allow EDF Renewables to plan ahead and respond to real time data so the team can make informed decisions without delay. It also means the performance of each wind farm can be closely monitored.
“We are happy to seal and develop this new partnership with Sennen. We are looking forward to exploring the functionalities of its software for our offshore wind farm global activity.”
Pierre-Emmanuel Guillot, director of asset management and operations strategy at EDF Renewables
Sennen’s multi-site capability, which was crucial to the contract win, was developed as a result of funding from the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP), which awarded the company £40,000 in grant funding last year.
Gaby Amiel, CEO and co-founder at Sennen, said: “Winning this contract is a game changer for us and puts EDF Renewables at the forefront of digital transformation in the sector. Our turnover has doubled this year as a result of this and several other wins. It’s a fantastic validation of our technology, which will showcase the benefits of digitisation to the wider industry.
“It’s also a great success story for UK plc. Winning support from OWGP was vital in helping us develop our technology and highlights what can be achieved when a coordinated approach is taken to supply chain growth.” The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) is a long-term business transformation programme that has been established as part of the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal. Funded by members of the Offshore Wind Industry Council with a budget of £100M over 10 years and delivered by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, OWGP supports the growth of UK businesses looking to capitalise on the huge opportunities offered by the global offshore wind sector.
“Since engaging with OWGP, Sennen has made significant strides in the sector. The team has increased jobs by a third and doubled the company’s turnover and, with this latest contract win, the company has secured its future as a major software provider to the global offshore wind sector.
“We are delighted that funding from OWGP to develop the multi-site functionality has unlocked such a step-change in company growth. This type of support, to accelerate and grow the supply chain, is at the core of what OWGP offers to UK businesses looking to work within the offshore wind industry.”
Andrew Macdonald, programme director at OWGP
Paul Grimshaw, chief technology officer at Sennen, said: “Our sophisticated technology allows operators to plan, manage and report on every element of a wind farm’s operations and then use the data to continually improve how things are done. We have developed something quite unlike anything else available, which has the potential to transform operations in the renewables industry.”
Sennen was founded in 2017 with the aim of creating high performance software that will enable the global transition to renewable energy. It is now a 15-strong team based in Bristol, UK. Clients include London Array, which uses Sennen software as a control room to direct work happening on site, and Foresight Group where Sennen is used to harvest data and improve performance of its renewable energy investment portfolio.
