Boosts given to green technologies
Grants of software and services from National Instruments have been of significant assistance to four British and Irish green energy projects, and because of its success, the scheme is being continued.
Romax Technology in Nottingham is using LabView and CompactRIO in new software developed to improve monitoring and predictive maintenance in wind turbines.
Magnomatics, a spinout from the University of Sheffield is using LabView for the control and data acquisition system for testing and CompactRIO to rapidly prototype and deploy controllers for its non contact gearboxes. Using magnetic forces only to transmit torque, these require no lubricants and avoid the possibility of chipped teeth. It is also possible to put electrical machines in the same housings as the gearboxes.
Wavebob, a novel wave power generator, which has now been undergoing half size tests in Galway Bay for more than a year, uses LabView to produce coding for its system that is able to adapt itself fo changing wave conditions.
Sunamp in Scotland, on the other hand, is using LabView in a new phase change heat storage system.
The grants are up to £25,000 in software and services for SMEs and startups, for those evaluating NI hardware as a component in their system. Applicants should be involved in Green/Clean Tech Devices or systems and have fewer than 200 employees. Enquiries should be directed to Ian Bell, Market Development Manager at National Instruments UK and Ireland.
