Research and Monitoring
For
most developers coming to deploy at EMEC, installation at these facilities
will be the first time their device has been in the open sea and grid connected.
They typically will not have a track record which indicates the type and
extent of interactions between the device and the receiving environment.
Therefore, whilst the central purpose of EMEC is to provide an operational
test facility, there is also a key role in establishing and facilitating
monitoring of devices in relation to their impacts on the receiving environment.
The main driver to this has been through the consenting
process which requires
developers to consider environmental issues prior to testing at EMEC, and
to mitigate against any potential for negative impact.
The involvement within the research field has lead EMEC to occupy a unique position, having links with a range of different developers and devices, as well as academic institutions and regulatory bodies. However the nature of our business means that we are, and must remain, independent. This is key as EMEC aims to ensure that different devices are monitored in a consistent way, using the best available methods. Furthermore, the dissemination of monitoring information can be carried out throughout the industry, regulatory bodies and their advisors, as appropriate. This will play a key role in the future commercial success of these devices and the industry.
EMEC is currently involved in a range of research projects (Tidal Site Projects, Wave Site Projects) as well as participating at workshops and conferences. Some recent events attended are listed below:
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Tidal Safety Workshop, 9th August 07: Organised by EMEC, this was aimed at addressing site specific marine safety issues at EMEC, such as under keel clearance for devices and buoyage in high tidal streams. Attendees came from a range of marine user organisations.
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EMEC R & D Workshop, 18th April 07: Hosted by HIE, the workshop looked at EMEC’s role within the research field. The workshop was attended by a wide range of bodies and was very well received.
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EWTEC 11th September 07: EMEC presented a paper which provided an update on the research activities at EMEC along with investigation currently being undertaken by our hydrodynamacist looking into turbulence in the tidal flow. Download Paper Here [1.50 MB]
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Orkney Science Festival, 1st September 07: As part of the RSPB organised ‘Big Picture’ looking at climate change, EMEC presented a talk giving an update on the progress at EMEC, along with the work being undertaken on environmental monitoring.
In the longer term, EMEC is looking to work with developers, and experts to expand its research agenda to cover a range of appropriate environmental and operational issues. We are keen to make full use of the device testing stages of the developing wave and tidal energy industries, so as to give support to developers and regulators alike as they develop through to commercial viability.
EMEC is keen to engage with researchers and provide input to individual research projects as appropriate to the test facility. To contact EMEC regarding this, please complete and return an Academic
Request form, using the links below. The links are for a .pdf and .rtf format document respectively. To open the .pdf version you will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader (free).
Download the Academic Request form in .pdf format
Download the Academic Request form in .rtf format