Press release: MaRINET2 opens 5th call for free access to offshore testing at EMEC

The fifth and final call for the EU-funded MaRINET2 project opens today, Tuesday 1 September.

The project offers free access to a world-leading network of testing and research infrastructures, including EMEC’s test sites. The call is open to offshore energy technology developers, including offshore wind, wave and tidal energy at full system, subsystem, component or sensor level.

Following a simple application process, successful applicants will receive free access to test facilities between 18 January – 17 July 2021.

Real sea performance testing is critical to increasing investor confidence in new technologies. Through MaRINET2, successful applications will receive free access to EMEC’s world-leading, purpose-built testing infrastructure. This includes four offshore sites with varying resources and a range of associated testing equipment.

As well as wave and tidal device developers, EMEC is keen to offer its facilities to a broader range of offshore renewable energy companies through this final call.

The MaRINET2 funding is for transnational access, therefore companies are required to have a base outwith the UK or a member of their team based overseas.

The fifth call will close on 16 October 2020.

GET IN TOUCH:

Interested parties are encouraged to contact Maud Ezel, Commercial Project Assistant
Email maud.ezel@emec.org.uk | phone 01856 852060 to take advantage of this opportunity.

Initially scheduled for June 2020, the call timetable has been postponed due to Covid-related delays. An updated timetable and a webinar recording are available online to assist candidates with their application and share updates on the process.

So far, MaRINET2 has awarded almost €5 million in free testing access across a European network of 57 world-leading research facilities. The project’s objective is to accelerate the progress of the European offshore renewables sector towards full-scale industrialisation.

Project Manager, Danielle Moodie, EMEC said:

“As a world leading test site in marine energy testing, EMEC experiences a range of wave and tidal conditions across our sites in Orkney, suitable for testing a variety of offshore technologies. With flexible test infrastructure, we are seeing increasing interest from floating offshore wind and supply chain companies looking to put foundations, components, and data acquisition technologies to the test as well.

“MaRINET2 is a good opportunity to reduce the cost of open water testing for energy generators or subsystems, so in this last call for applications, we are looking to encourage applications from across the offshore renewables market.”

For details on eligibility criteria, how to apply, available testing infrastructures etc. please visit the MaRINET2 website.