Funding for EMEC scale sites
International wave and tidal energy technology developers have less than three weeks to apply for funded access to EMEC’s scale test facilities through global marine research organisation MaRINET (Marine Renewables Infrastructure Network for Emerging Energy Technologies).
MaRINET has offered to cover the costs of access to EMEC’s test sites for non UK-based wave and tidal energy conversion companies, SMEs, and research groups – with applications to be made by February 29.
The first centre of its kind, EMEC offers developers the opportunity to test in the world-class conditions around Orkney, Scotland. Its scale test sites were opened in 2011, and allow prototype marine energy technologies to undergo sea trials in more gentle conditions than those experienced at its full-scale wave and tidal test sites.
The MaRINET scheme runs until March 2015, and further calls for access will be made during that time.
Matthew Finn, Research and Project Coordinator at EMEC, said: “The funding scheme operated by MaRINET offers technology developers an opportunity to deploy their devices at facilities where they may not otherwise be able to secure test time.
“Our scale sites include berths with moorings foundations for wave and tidal machines, specially designed test support buoys which can measure and dissipate energy, and also an area of seabed for rehearsal of deployment techniques – which are a vital resource for developers seeking to prove their devices in the marine environment.”
EMEC is a partner in the MaRINET initiative, a marine renewable energy infrastructure network funded by the European Commission (EC), formed to accelerate the development of marine renewable energy. It brings together 28 partners spanning 12 countries and offers access to 42 world-class marine testing facilities covering all scales.
In additional to covering facility costs, MaRINET also provides a contribution towards travel and subsistence costs for users of the initiative.
Interested companies can apply for funding via the MaRINET website.
About MaRINET:
Europe hosts a full suite of unique test facilities, including wave, tidal, offshore-wind energy, and environmental testing, but coordination is needed to streamline access and avoid duplication. For technology developers, the main challenges are facility access costs and cross-border access, which can prove significant barriers to progress.
The MaRINET network address these challenges by bringing together these unique facilities, world-class experts and EC funding to coordinate focused R&D and to provide a centralised resource offering testing at reduced cost to users.
Picture: Deployment of EMECs test support buoy at the tidal scale test site
