Digital Catapult: Ørsted Digital Innovation Challenge

The Ørsted Digital Innovation Challenge supports legally registered and active UK based companies of all sizes, in particular:

• Companies in a position to act with agility
• Companies from any industry, provided they offer digital solutions that can be adapted to offshore wind Operations & Maintenance
• Companies with proposed solutions that demonstrate clear potential to improve efficiency, reduce costs, reduce risks or enhance safety in offshore wind O&M
• Solutions should either be at least TRL3, in an offshore wind context, according to a recognised TRL scale. Note that mature solutions TRL is reduced when applied to a new industry
• Companies with mature solutions from other sectors which have not been utilised or trialled in offshore wind before are still welcome to apply.

Applications are welcome from solutions which address part of, or all of a use-case; as well as solutions which cover multiple use-cases. As stated, these use-cases are for inspiration only and solutions applicable to offshore wind operations and maintenance more broadly but outside of these use-cases are also welcome. Applicants should consider feasibility of their solutions if they are very ambitious and cover multiple use-cases since this will be included in the assessment criteria.

Please note, shortlisted companies must actively participate in challenge-related activities, including pitching their solution. The companies’ successful in progressing to the second stage of the programme where they receive support from ORE Catapult and Digital Catapult must commit to working with these delivery partners and the support that is being facilitated.

The offshore wind industry is growing fast, with global capacity expected to exceed 200 GW by 2035 (excl. China) as the planet’s journey towards net zero accelerates. With this expansion, more and more wind farms are being built worldwide to meet demand and support the global journey to net zero.

As the industry scales, the number of assets entering the O&M phase of the life cycle is set to grow significantly, increasing the demand for efficient, cost-effective, and scalable solutions. At the same time, existing offshore wind farms are ageing, requiring more frequent and complex maintenance to ensure continued performance and reliability.

Offshore wind O&M activities are often manual, labour-intensive, and heavily reliant on weather and scheduling, which can reduce efficiency; meanwhile the importance of minimising accidents and safety hazards remains paramount. As the industry scales, there’s a growing need for smarter, more automated, and data-driven solutions to enhance reliability and reduce manual intervention.

The sector generates vast amounts of data, but there is untapped potential to use it more effectively for better decision-making. Where there is a clear business case, installation of new sensors for additional data points, or remote collection methods can further improve operational insight. Strengthening O&M capabilities is essential, not just for safety and efficiency, but for maximising revenue and long-term competitiveness.

Ørsted is seeking participants with digital solutions which they believe could make a material benefit in the cost and/or risk associated with the O&M of offshore wind farms. Potential use cases, to help inspire applicants, include but are not limited to:

• Predictive maintenance (e.g. failure prediction, condition monitoring analytics, anomaly detection)
• Operations modelling and optimisation (e.g. digital twins for turbine performance, virtual simulations, lifetime extension strategies)
• Automated inspections (e.g. defect detection and reporting)
• Logistics and resource management (e.g. weather analytics, vessel scheduling, smart warehouse and inventory management)
• Remote maintenance and workforce enablement (e.g. AR remote troubleshooting, VR training simulations, maintenance robots)
• Transparency and trust in supply chains (e.g. digital ledgers, smart contract management)

We also encourage innovative proposals that may not fit within the predefined categories but still align with O&M digitalisation goals.

Participants will gain access to a comprehensive range of resources to support their understanding of the offshore wind industry and accelerate the development of their digital solutions.

Through a blend of collaborative hands-on technical support, educational sessions, and expert guidance, you’ll receive the help to tailor and mature your technology for real-world application in the offshore wind sector—specifically in Operations & Maintenance (O&M).

• Educational sessions – Gain insights into the offshore wind industry
• Expert support – Work closely with specialists from ORE Catapult and Digital Catapult to understand where your solution fits within the value chain, identify high-impact opportunities and assess your technology’s maturity and readiness for adoption
• Industry collaboration opportunities – Engage with Ørsted’s dedicated specialists and innovation teams
• Data Access & Integration – Integration with existing or legacy platforms can be considered on a case-by-case basis
• Retain all IP – All intellectual property (IP) developed by applicants will remain solely with them

For any queries, please contact the team at Digital Catapult: christina.constantinou@digicatapult.org.uk and fraser.mckillop@digicatapult.org.uk.