News this week

HRH The Duke of York visited the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) on Tuesday [September 6] as part of a trip to Orkney focused on the marine renewable industry. His Royal Highness met technology developers, and witnessed the cutting edge research into marine energy taking place in Orkney (see here for photos).

Duarte Figueira, Head of the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment (ORED) in DECC was also in Orkney on Tuesday. He met with developers and The Crown Estate in the morning, then visited EMEC including the Billia Croo test site in the afternoon (see picture). Mr Figueira is responsible for driving forward the deployment of renewables in line with Government policy and addressing barriers to deployment.

Also in the news this week:

Neil Kermode gave a speech at the Science Festival last Friday night [September 2] as part of a special evening of reports of progress from the various companies and organisations at the fore of the marine renewables industry in Orkney. The event, “Wave and Tide: Reports from the Front Line”, included speeches from Gareth Davies of Aquatera, William Annal of Scotrenewables, Nick Pelosi of Pelamis Wave Power, Maili Sepri of Voith Hydro, and David Kaye of Aquamarine.

Jennifer Norris, Research Director, attended the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC) at the University of Southampton this week. The conference provides a global focus for all activities in wave and marine current (tidal) energy conversion technologies, research, development and demonstration.

And finally, delegate registration and a call for papers are now open for The International Conference on the Environmental Interactions of Marine Renewable Energy Technologies (EIMR) which will take place in Kirkwall, Orkney, on 1 – 3 May 2012. An additional programme of special interest sessions, field trips and other activities is expected to take place from 30 April until 4 May. The event will bring together leading international specialists, hosted by scientists from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) and The University of Aberdeen. The aim of the conference is to review the potential impact of marine renewable energy technology on the environment. Details of the speakers and programme, news about the conference, and how to contact the organisers can be accessed on the conference website, at www.eimr.org.