Ricardo signs offshore wind contract with David Brown Gear Systems

The engineering consultancy was chosen by David Brown after it won a deal with Korean giant Samsung Heavy Industries. Under the contract, Ricardo will undertake support activities covering concept review, dynamic analysis, validation of detailed component and system analyses and assistance to the drivetrain rig and field testing. The project has been launched with key initial deliverables scheduled to support delivery of the first prototype gearboxes in the coming year, with follow-on work in support of test and certification activities. Martin Fausset, managing director of Ricardo UK, said: "Offshore wind presents a huge opportunity for many businesses, not least in the UK, and I'm delighted that we have been chosen by David Brown as a provider of engineering support services for their new multi-MW gearbox." Ian Farquhar, managing director of wind energy at David Brown, added: "It is important to this innovative project that every aspect of gearbox design is independently verified and we are delighted to have Ricardo working with us to provide additional assurance."