Narec

Narec, since 2014 known as the National Renewable Energy Centre, is a part of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, a British technology innovation and research centre for offshore wind power, wave energy, tidal energy and low carbon technologies. ORE Catapult's head office is in Glasgow, Scotland. The centre operates multi-purpose offshore renewable energy test and demonstration facilities. It is similar to other centres, such as NREL in the US and National Centre for Renewable Energies (CENER) in Spain. The National Renewable Energy Centre is based in Blyth, Northumberland.
History.
Originally known as NaREC (New and Renewable Energy Centre), the centre was created in 2002 by One NorthEast, the North East regional development agency, as part of the "Strategy for Success" programme. In 2010 the organisation changed its name to Narec (National Renewable Energy Centre). In April 2014, the organisation merged with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult to focus on the development and cost reduction of offshore wind, wave and tidal energy across the UK.
The organisation was originally involved in a wide range of technologies, including:
In 2010, due to UK government cutbacks, Narec closed, sold off or separated parts of the business. Now, Narec itself concentrates on testing blades and drive trains for marine renewables. Spin-off companies include:
Narec Distributed Energy – An organisation which deals with energy efficiency, solar farm design, preparation of MW scale battery sites, grid connection, and life-cycle assessment. "Narec Distributed Energy" is 10% owned by ORE Catapult.
Solar Capture Technologies – A completely independent company which specialises on bespoke and novel solar photovoltaic systems, including off grid systems.
Narec Capital – A financial organisation run by Narec and Ashberg Limited.
Narec Capital Risk Solutions – Beyond its existence, there is very little information on what this organisation does.
Following its merger with ORE Catapult, the National Renewable Energy Centre now focuses on helping to de-risk and accelerate the development and commercialisation of the offshore renewable energy industry in the UK.
Operations.
The National Renewable Energy Centre is involved in:
Wind turbine rotor blades.
Product certification, verification and investigations for the next generation offshore wind turbines.
Power trains and components.
3MW and 15MW facilities that can perform independent performance and reliability assessments of full systems and components.
Electrical networks.
UKAS accredited laboratories with specialist test and measurement facilities to help develop technologies needed for developing power systems and exploring life extension opportunities for ageing assets.
Subsea trials and demonstrations.
Controlled onshore salt water location for all stages of technology development.
Resource measurement and assessment.
Open access facility for testing, calibrating and verifying remote sensor technologies
Closed facilities.
Clothier High Voltage Laboratory.
The Clothier Electrical Testing Laboratory was opened in 1970 by A. Reyrolle & Company. Narec took over the facility in 2004, to use it to test the robustness of electrical infrastructure offshore locations to onshore sites.
Although one of the few high voltage testing facilities in the world, the facility was closed by Narec in 2011 due to a lack of government funding. Many parts of the lab were relocated to Narec's main campus in Blyth. The ruins of the original lab are now the property of Siemens.
Current facilities.
Charles Parsons Technology Centre.
Built in 2004, this £5m facility contains a low voltage electrical laboratory for the testing of connecting renewable energy systems to the transmission and distribution grid. Some of the equipment and staff from the closed Narec Clothier Electrical Testing Laboratory were moved to this facility.
Training tower.
This is a 27m high tower, for training of offshore wind technicians.
Dry docks.
Tests marine devices with three modified dry docks.
Power train test facilities – 3MW and 15MW.
Facilities that can perform independent performance and reliability assessments of full systems and components.
Blade test 1 & 2.
The blade testing facilities at National Renewable Energy Centre are designed to test wind turbine blades up to 100m in length. Blades are tested using a Compact Resonant Mass (CRM) system. ORE Catapult is working on a technique of blade testing known as "Dual Axis".
European funded research.
ORE Catapult is involved in a number of European funded research projects including Tidal EC, Optimus and LIFES50+.
Conferences and papers.
Narec staff have written papers which have appeared in journals and international energy conferences. These are mainly in the subjects of photovoltaics, wind, marine, and electrical infrastructure. A short list of some of these is given below: