News this week

A week of green energy awards this past week! By kind invitation of Ocean Power Technologies, Edwina Cook attended the Regen SW Green Energy Awards on the 25 November in Bristol. This was followed by a conference the following day and it was interesting to hear the UK wide similarities in thoughts, hopes and fears for the renewable industry. From Scotland right through the country to the South West, the impetus and innovation is there and possible connections to propel the whole industry further forward are there to be made.

The third Developer forum meeting took place yesterday, December 4, in Edinburgh. The meeting was well attended and opened fruitful discussions between developers.

Edinburgh last night, saw the SRF Green Energy Awards, and the separate press release details the event and winners. Congratulations particularly, go to OpenHydro, currently testing their device on the Tidal Test Site, for winning Best Renewable Innovation Award for Scotland’s first ever grid connected tidal turbine. Photo, courtesy of OpenHydro, shows the device as currently testing at EMEC.

ORKNEY PROJECT WINS AT SCOTLAND’S BIGGEST GREEN AWARDS

OpenHydro’s tidal stream project at EMEC wins accolade at Green Energy Awards 2008

Dublin-based company OpenHydro has won the Best Renewable Innovation sponsored by Scottish Enterprise for its tidal stream generator, based at EMEC’s tidal testing site of the coast of Eday and is the first tidal device in Scotland to provide electricity to the grid.

Ireland’s Energy Minister, Eamon Ryan TD congratulated OpenHydro on their win and said, “I am delighted to see this level of cooperation between the Irish and Scottish renewable industries, as we work towards developing our respective energy sectors. Both Governments are already examining the possibility of developing a joint electricity grid and the potential benefits for the energy industries in both countries will be enormous. We already have a distinct advantage, with our shared location close to the Atlantic and North Sea, which will allow us to excel particularly with tidal and offshore wind. I must commend Scottish Renewables for organising this event, which provides an incentive for business and encourages the development of new and innovative technologies.”

James Ives, Chief Executive of OpenHydro said “We are delighted to have received this award. 2008 has been a fantastic year for OpenHydro having become the first company to connect and generate tidal power onto the Scottish electricity grid and also to have installed the first fully submerged subsea turbine. Both projects were completed at EMEC which is a strong reflection of the level of support the team at EMEC and the Scottish Government have shown OpenHydro over the years. I would in particular like recognise the incredible commitment shown by the OpenHydro team and for the support from our investors who collectively share our vision.”

Brian Nixon, Director of Energy, Scottish Enterprise said, “Scottish Enterprise is delighted to sponsor The Best Renewable Innovation Award. Innovation is one of our three strategic themes, and extremely important for development of the renewables sectors. OpenHydro’s innovative installer technology demonstrates that the marine energy industry is now moving beyond research and demonstration to become a commercial reality and it’s companies such as OpenHydro that are key to developing new business opportunities for companies in Scotland.”