Consultancy and services
The strong technical team at EMEC can provide innovative services customised to suit each individual client. The team are highly experienced in the marine renewable industry which allows them to adapt and integrate quickly providing proven solutions based on the following skill sets:
- Test centre design and operation;
- Deployment methodologies and procedures;
- Operational management;
- Health & safety;
- Procedures & protocols;
- Consenting;
- Data collection and interpretation;
- Bid writing;
- Communication and dissemination.
Design and operation of marine energy test centres
Having overseen more than 2000 marine energy activities at our test sites in Orkney covering device deployments, grid connections, cable laying operations, data collection and various monitoring activities, we are working with countries around the world, helping them develop their own marine energy test facilities to instigate the development of a global market for wave and tidal energy developers.
- Business planning and cost analysis for future test centres;
- Design, development and set up of a new test centre;
- Operational management and maintenance (via established QHSE management procedures);
- Data collection for site selection. resource assessment and environmental monitoring;
- Consenting and stakeholder engagement support;
- Cabling and electrical design, purchasing and management;
- Infrastructure installation and deployment methodologies.
Performance Assessment
Developers need to test and validate technology to build credibility and bankability of projects. To progress the technology to a commercial stage a proven track record validated by an accredited party is more attractive to funders and investors in financing large commercial projects.
EMEC is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to test laboratory standards (ISO 17025). We are the first and only centre of our kind anywhere in the world to win this mark of quality, which enables us to provide independent, internationally recognised verification of the performance of the devices tested at our grid-connected test sites at Billia Croo and the Fall of Warness.
We can also provide non-accredited independently verified performance reports to technology developers testing at our scale sites in Orkney, or elsewhere in the world.
Technical Verification
EMEC can provide you with independent verification in accordance with ISO 17020 to confirm that your technology satisfies conceptual reliability, survivability and performance targets. Technical verification can cover marine energy converters, sub-systems and associated processes as follows:
- Wave and tidal energy converters
- Power take-off units (PTOs)
- Moorings or mooring components
- Corrosion protection systems
- Cable lay/pull-in/connector installation aids
- Hydraulic systems
- Transformers/switchgear/rectifiers
- Coatings
- Lubrication systems
- Marine based sensors
- Active control systems
- and similar or related devices.
At the end of the EMEC Technology Verification process, you’ll receive a Statement of Verification: evidence that your performance claims are both credible and scientifically sound.
Consenting
EMEC has worked closely with regulators over the years to streamline the consenting process, and has conducted extensive environmental monitoring studies to provide you with a comprehensive view of the site. We can keep you on the right track with the regulatory authorities and legislation, and can provide significant input into the necessary documents:
- Environmental reports;
- Environmental monitoring programmes;
- Navigational risk assessments
- Third-party verification certificates (TPV); and
- Decommissioning programmes.
For more information, visit: EMEC consents
Data collection and interpretation
- Marine resource surveys;
- Underwater acoustic surveys;
- Raw wave and meteorological data from Billia Croo (over five years);
- Raw tidal stream and meteorological data from the Fall of Warness (20 plus ADCP surveys);
- Modelled data from Mike 21 Model for Pentland Firth and Orkney waters.
Equipment, component or methodology testing
- Utilisation of our sites for testing the operational effectiveness of specific equipment or components in real sea environments;
- Development of unique methodologies using experience of challenging environmental characteristics at our sites.
Bid writing | Helping you secure funding
EMEC has a strong track record in securing grant funding for marine renewable energy activities and will partner with you to deliver a successful application. We have a success rate of over 50%, and have helped to secure over £50m in R&D funding for technology developers and projects.
Our Commercial Team can guide you through the proposal process and rules of participation, as well as provide advice on issues that may arise before and during project implementation.
Communication and dissemination
Our marketing, public relations and project dissemination experience can make sure your brand profile grows and your achievements are recognised.
Further info and case studies
For more information and case studies, please download our Pathway to Commercialisation brochure: