This funding round has closed.

iX Challenge - Vibration monitoring of offshore wind turbine foundations during construction and commissioning

Applications closed

Funding: Contact funder
Deadline: 30 October 2026
Location: England
Applications: Applications closed

Overview

This is an Innovation Exchange challenge run by Innovate UK Business Connect for ScottishPower Renewables (SPR). SPR wants a simple, low-cost, standalone device that logs vibration inside the transition piece of an offshore wind turbine foundation. It should record on its own from foundation installation until the turbine is commissioned and permanent monitoring takes over.

The device must work without turbine or grid power or live data links. It must suit both monopile and jacket foundations and store time stamped data for at least six months. Technicians will collect the data by hand, then the units will be recovered and reused on the next project. SPR plans to fit one to every foundation, so low cost at volume matters more than the price of a single unit. Cables are out of scope.

There is no cash grant. Successful applicants will get the chance to pitch to SPR. Selected solutions may be benchmarked on an operational wind farm alongside existing monitoring instruments, with possible further adoption if trials go well. The page says this is not guaranteed and is solely at SPR's discretion.

The challenge opened on 15 September 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on 30 October 2026. Finalists will be selected and notified on 30 November 2026.

One practical point: the application form asks for company information and three answers of up to 300 words each, so allow time to write them clearly.

Official source: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/ix-challenge-vibration-monitoring-of-offshore-wind-turbine-foundations/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.

Requirements to check

Who can apply:

limited companysole traderpartnershipsocial enterprise

Key requirements:

No cash award; successful applicants get an opportunity to pitch to ScottishPower Renewables
Benchmarking on an operational wind farm and further adoption are not guaranteed and are at ScottishPower Renewables' sole discretion
Applicants must be UK based or intend to set up a UK base
Device must run standalone for at least six months, cover DC to 100 Hz on three axes, and have IP65 or better protection
Existing background IP stays with the solution provider; any new IP is subject to mutual agreement
You cannot edit your application once you click Submit Idea

You can apply if you are an established business, academic institution, start-up, SME or individual entrepreneur. You must be UK based or intend to set up a UK base. Academic applicants must clearly show a route to market and ideally involve their commercial partner. The challenge is open to applicants across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.

Who is this for?

UK-based businesses, start-ups, SMEs, academic teams and individual entrepreneurs who can build a low-cost, long-life vibration sensor and logger, including those adapting proven technology from other sectors.

Sectors

Construction Energy & Utilities

Regions

England

No published award history for Innovate UK Business Connect. Some funders do not publish their grants data.

Full details from Innovate UK Business Connect

This challenge seeks a low-cost, battery-powered device to monitor offshore wind turbine foundation vibrations from installation through commissioning, with six-month battery life, local data storage, and compatibility with monopile and jacket foundations.

How to apply

Apply online through the "Find out more and apply" link on the Innovate UK Business Connect page. You will give company information and answer three questions (Idea Summary, Technology Readiness and Intellectual Property), each up to 300 words. You can attach up to 3 optional supporting documents. Questions can go to ix@iuk.ktn-uk.org.

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