RWE is one of the world's leading offshore wind companies, working with partners to deliver a globally ambitious growth pipeline in support of our ambition to be carbon neutral by 2040. As a market leader, we are dedicated to exploring and supporting innovative solutions that can accelerate the pace of deploying offshore wind, and are keen to explore specific research issues and pilot projects with companies, start-ups and individuals around the world.

RWE launched an innovation competition for system integration and was seeking for innovative offshore solutions that enhance system flexibility and minimize curtailment by balancing the short- or long-term mismatch in time and volume between power supply and demand. These innovations could include – but were not limited to – any type of offshore flexible demand or offshore energy storage.

Next steps after the application:

We will thoroughly review and assess all innovations on a case-by-case basis. If your idea is considered promising and is shortlisted by our RWE selection team, you will be invited in January to participate in a workshop at one of our offices in Germany, the Netherlands or UK with us. You will be asked to present your idea in full and propose how it can be implemented at future offshore wind farms. After a final selection process, we will align on the details of the collaboration with the innovator(s) to reach commercial readiness. This may include further validation campaigns or full scale trials, also supported by RWE investment.

Why you should apply:

• We will put you in contact with some of the world's top engineers and specialists in the field of offshore wind to work with you and help to further develop your idea.
• We have a worldwide offshore wind development project pipeline of almost 10 GW (pro rata) with secured development rights. You will be introduced to RWE's worldwide development portfolio.
• We can offer a live test site in an operational environment to trial and validate your innovative idea and scale your concept with us for future application.
• We will include the selected innovations in RWE’s overall innovation program. 

Join the competition:

We invited you to propose a solution which you believe can enhance system integration, and can be implemented in one of our current offshore wind development projects. This solution should be long-term sustainable. It should have a zero-carbon carbon-footprint, cause no harm to the environment, and fit within the concept of circularity. In addition to this, your idea or solution should have the potential to reach a Technology Readiness Level of 7 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment) or higher within the next 5 years. You were asked to provide RWE with a solution that meets the above requirements. Your submission is treated fully confidential and is not shared with other participants in the competition.