GROW is a joint research programme in offshore wind that initiates research and accelerates innovations. GROW's strength lies in its ability to run focused, sequential and complementary RD&D activities. The consortium includes over 20 leading and committed partners that cooperate closely to conduct joint research. Short lines of communication, trust and exchange of experience and knowledge are all significant contributions to the success of GROW.
GROW partners collaborate to reduce the costs of offshore wind and enhance the value of wind energy within the energy system and the ecosystem. Furthermore, GROW creates visibility for the projects and the partners involved by showcasing the innovative capacity of the Dutch offshore wind sector. GROW also represents the interests of its partners related to RD&D policies and measures in offshore wind and stimulates cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises and higher education.
GROW stands for:
- Implementing a joint research programme
- Accelerating the development of innovations
- Initiating follow-up activities at an early stage
- Developing new cooperation opportunities
- Representing the interests of the GROW partners
- Promoting cooperation on topics of common interest
Three objectives
GROW strives to expand the role of offshore wind in the energy system and, therefore, has the following objectives:
- to further reduce the cost level of offshore wind in the (near and mid-term) future.
- to add value to wind energy in the energy system and to further enhance its symbiosis with other sectors at sea (oil & gas, fishery, shipping, tourism, ecology and nature).
- to strengthen the Dutch offshore wind sector.
GROW Foundation
In realising these objectives, the GROW programme and the individual partners are supported by the GROW Foundation. The GROW Foundation aims to stimulate further cooperation and exchange of information among partners, and monitors and guides the overall programme's development. The board of the GROW Foundation consists of the following persons:
David Molenaar (DOT) - Chairman
Fred van Beers (Sif) - Secretary
Didi te Gussinklo Ohmann (Van Oord) - Treasurer
Glenn Bijvoets (Eneco)
Mark Overwijk (TNO)
GROW programme office
A programme office supports the GROW Foundation and consortium. The office initiates, coordinates and provides reporting for the RD&D projects of the partners. The GROW Foundation has contracted the following self-employed professionals to execute these tasks in the following roles:
- Director
- Programme Manager
- Office Manager
- Communication Manager
- Controller
