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Held over two days at the NDC this Masterclass introduced participants to the concept of full-scale virtual prototyping and simulation of offshore renewable energy systems.

Participants gained hands-on experience in the NDC’s cutting-edge marine simulator – a 300-degree immersive dome equipped with four real-time control chairs – where they explored:

🔹 Feasibility testing under different environmental conditions
🔹 Establishing safe weather windows
🔹 De-risking complex offshore operations

Through practical sessions and case studies, participants learned techniques for developing and calibrating full-scale models using data from tank tests and offshore trials.

They had the opportunity to design an offshore operation using storyboards, building the models in the simulator and putting their designs to test in the simulator in moderate and extreme conditions.

The tasks included designing towing configuration for a floating offshore wind turbine and deployment methods for anchor deployment from the back of a vessel.

Finally the group was given the challenge of catching an unmoored floating wind turbine using the C-Dart quick connection system which was trialled and derisked using the NDC’s marine simulator.

Contributors to the course included Professor of Marine Ecology Beth Scott, NDC Director Professor Richard Neilson, Senior Mechanical Engineer from Blackfish Dr James Hastie and Masterclass lead and NDC Simulator Technical Manager Dr Marcin Kapitaniak.

The event was also supported by NDC staff and students including Dr Alicia Terrero Gonzalez, Dr Michael Olatunde, Dr Sam Cauvin, Alastair Ramsay and Megan Squire.

Full Masterclass Prospectus – Plymouth Masterclass Prospectus – April 2024

More on the C-Dart mooring quick-connector here – Revolutionising Offshore Marine Operations with C-Dart

Notes for Editors