Wind-energy contest

Engineers have been challenged to help cut the cost of offshore wind energy in a UK government-backed competition that is offering up to £100,000 worth of technical assessment to the finalists. The Carbon Trust, a low-carbon-technology think-tank, hopes that the contest, which is open to engineers and designers worldwide, will uncover novel wind-turbine foundation designs suitable for deep-sea locations. Foundations are a major component of offshore installations and can account for up to 20 per cent of project costs at depths of between 30m and 60m.