International WaTERS network

Int WaTERS logo 314 x 209

Open-sea test centres are at the heart of the emerging wave and tidal industry.

Test centres help develop the sector in many ways. They help reduce costs and streamline test programmes for technology developers, are often the first to encounter regulatory barriers like permitting and are therefore a key node for knowledge sharing within the sector. They also provide a local/regional focal point encouraging job creation and supply chain growth.

EMEC established the International WaTERS (Wave and Tidal Energy Research Sites) network in 2013. As part of our 10th anniversary, we hosted an International Test Centre Symposium in Orkney, Scotland, inviting operational and planned test sites from around the world to discuss common issues and agree actions for collaborating for the good of the marine energy sector.

Since then, the group has met annually. Today the network includes open-sea test centres from over 20 countries and over 30 test and research centres.

The network has been supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and IEA-OES.

 

Purpose and objectives

The purpose of International WaTERS is to drive collaboration and knowledge transfer between test centres and global regions. Members learn directly from their peers about managing test sites to a high standard, and delivering high-quality research and demonstration programmes.

The objectives of the network are to:

  • Share updates on progress and challenges;
  • Identify common test site challenges and opportunities;
  • Discuss key R&D topics;
  • Identify actions to forge relationships and knowledge transfer between test sites.

The network has proven to generate collaborative research projects (for example the Interreg NWE OceanDEMO and BlueGIFT projects), and tangible knowledge exchange between test sites.

 

Test centre database

For further information on the network and a database of international ocean energy test centres, visit www.internationalwaters.info. Thanks to IEA-OES for funding the development of the International WaTERS website and database.

 

Meetings

Int WaTERS logo 314 x 209 Int WaTERS 2022 - 314 web

Orkney, Scotland | Nov 2023

Hosted by EMEC, celebrating the 10th anniversary of
the International WaTERS initiative.

 

Bilbao, Spain | Oct 2022

Co-hosted by EMEC and Ente Vasco de la Energía (EVE), and Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP).

 

Int WaTERS 2021 - 314 2019 International WaTERS

Virtual event | Feb 2021

Hosted by EMEC.

 

Orkney, Scotland | Oct 2019

Hosted by EMEC.

 

2018 International WaTERS Group shot of 4th International WaTERS delegates

Keelung, Taiwan | Sept 2018

Co-hosted by EMEC and National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU)

Supported by IEA-OES.

 

Gran Canaria | Oct 2017

Co-hosted by EMEC and the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN).

2016 International WaTERS Group photo at EMEC and FORCE International Test Centres Workshop  (Credit FORCE) - 314

Edinburgh, Scotland | Feb 2016

Hosted by EMEC

 

Halifax, Canada | Nov 2014

Co-hosted by EMEC and Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE).

2013 International WaTERS

Orkney, Scotland | Oct 2013

Inaugurated and hosted by EMEC.

Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

 

EMEC CLIENTS

Alstom

Alstom

hammerfest

hammerfest

Aquamarine

Aquamarine Power

atlantis

Atlantis Resources Corporation

Nautricity

Nautricity

Naval Group

Naval Group

openhydro

Open Hydro

Home_Orbital-Marine-logo

Orbital Marine

pelamis

pleamis

scottish_power

ScottishPower Renewables

seatricity

Seatricity

Sustainable Marine Energy

Sustainable Marine Energy

voith

Voith Hydro

Wello

Wello Oy

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