International WaTERS network
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
Orkney, Scotland | Nov 2023Hosted by EMEC, celebrating the 10th anniversary of
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Bilbao, Spain | Oct 2022Co-hosted by EMEC and Ente Vasco de la Energía (EVE), and Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP).
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Virtual event | Feb 2021Hosted by EMEC.
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Orkney, Scotland | Oct 2019Hosted by EMEC.
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Keelung, Taiwan | Sept 2018Co-hosted by EMEC and National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) Supported by IEA-OES.
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Gran Canaria | Oct 2017Co-hosted by EMEC and the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN). |
Edinburgh, Scotland | Feb 2016Hosted by EMEC
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Halifax, Canada | Nov 2014Co-hosted by EMEC and Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE). |
Orkney, Scotland | Oct 2013Inaugurated and hosted by EMEC. Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
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