Blog: Getting to know Nic Wallet, FORESEA programme manager

FORESEA: Funding Ocean Renewable Energy through Strategic European Action

Nic Wallet has recently joined the EMEC team to oversee the management of the newly launched FORESEA programme (an Interreg-funded project which provides funding support to ocean energy technology developers to access Europe’s world-leading ocean energy test facilities). In this blog he reveals how he got into marine renewables, what his job at EMEC will entail as well as providing a little insight into the man behind FORESEA.

Nic Wallet, FORESEA Manager

What attracted you to marine renewables? And to EMEC?

I started my career looking at innovative solutions to encourage gender equality and economic development. I then had the chance to work for different countries on strategic economic development projects. I am passionate about economic development and innovative technologies, however I feel that there is a strong urgency to change our behaviour towards a sustainable approach to development.

Therefore the energy sector is fascinating for me: it’s critical to economic development; there’s an urgent need for that development to be sustainable; and it’s an extremely innovative sector.

Ocean energy is at the pinnacle of these criteria – the first time I discovered ocean energy I instantly wanted to specialise in the sector.

Working at EMEC was simply a logical step as the company has over a decade of experience in supporting the development of ocean energy. EMEC provides a very dynamic working environment and is a fantastic place to keep learning about ocean energy. But ultimately it enables me to support the progression of the sector.

What will your role as FORESEA Manager entail?

I am responsible for the FORESEA programme which provides funding to allow innovative businesses to test their promising technologies in real sea conditions be it at EMEC, or at another FORESEA test site. My role will include managing the consortium of test centres (EMEC; SmartBay Ireland; SEM-REV in France; and the Dutch Tidal Testing Centre), as well as supporting technology developers to find the right funding mechanism to test their ocean energy devices and help them to connect with research institutes and supply chain companies.

What were you doing before EMEC?

I studied law, particularly focusing on public and international law, however I was far more interested in a more hands-on job. I particularly love project management because though the job profile is fairly straightforward, the actual job needs you to reinvent your approach every day.

“Everyone has a plan ’til they get punched in the mouth!”, Mike Tyson (I find that really true for project management!)

I have worked in both regional and European strategy for ocean energy development. Recently I worked closely with the European Commission on the Horizon 2020 programme and calls for ocean energy. I was managing the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Ocean Energy, using the inputs of more than 240 stakeholders in ocean energy to write the first Strategic Research Agenda to be use by the Commission to determine future calls and programmes to fund ocean energy.

Tell us a little more about yourself:

I love to stay active and creative! I like to push myself out of my comfort zone to try new sports or activities. My annual routine consists of booking a winter snowboarding holiday, then getting fit for that by running and kettlebell. I then eat loads of heavy mountain winter meals on holiday, generally let the fitness slip completely for a few a months afterwards, until I get motivated again by booking the next winter holiday!

I also love playing music and collect stringed instruments from across the world.