Accredited services

EMEC recognises that certification is a key component to developing a mature industry, helping to attract investment. EMEC has been active in supporting the development of marine energy standards since the Centre was established in 2003.

EMEC has operated as the world’s first and only recognised ISO/IEC 17025 ocean energy test laboratory since 2005. 

In 2020, we were designated with Renewable Energy Testing Laboratory (RETL) status by the International Electrotechnical Commission – Renewable Energy System (IECRE), the highest international designation for marine energy test laboratories. Click here for more information and Schedules of Accreditation: Accreditation and Certification.

As an independent test facility, we offer internationally-recognised performance assessment of ocean energy devices. Such assessments ensure that project installations adhere to IEC international standards, verifying the methodologies used and supporting technical development pathways towards certification.

With an independent report, you can provide third party assurance and credibility to your claims to investors and funders.

By collaborating with developers and tank facilities, EMEC provides feedback to the IECRE on the practicalities of applying the international standards and seek to ensure that future iterations meet the needs of the industry.

Power performance assessment

To bring ocean energy to market, developers must prove performance and reliability. Independent validation builds credibility and bankability, key factors for attracting investors and securing finance for large-scale projects.

A power performance assessment (PPA) provides a standardised methodology to measure the power output of wave or tidal energy converters across different sea states and a consistent framework for reporting results. This process includes an estimation of energy production from the device at a prospective site, provided sufficient resource data is available.

At EMEC, we operate to ISO 17025 laboratory standards, following:

• IEC TS 62600-200:2013 | for tidal energy converters – power performance assessment
• IEC TS 62600-100:2012 | for wave energy converters – power performance assessment

We deliver PPAs for technologies tested at our grid-connected test sites (Billia Croo and the Fall of Warness), at our scale sites or elsewhere in the world.

For now, our RETL designation only covers PPA of tidal energy converters, meaning we can provide internationally-recognised PPA reports for tidal energy converters anywhere in the world in compliance with IEC TC 114 Technical Specifications. However, the IECRE System is in the process of expanding such a designation to cover wave energy and additional competence areas as well. In the meantime, we still provide a PPA for wave energy converters operating to IEC TS 62600-100:2012.

What does a power performance assessment entail? Read our blog: Testing the power performance of marine energy devices
Case study: EMEC delivers world’s first internationally recognised Power Performance Assessment to Verdant Power

At sea inspection

Working to ISO/IEC 17020 as an independent inspection body (non-accredited), EMEC can inspect performance at TRL 5-7 (quarter to full scale) during ocean testing. At this scale, technologies do not need to be grid-connected. We follow:

• IEC TS 62600-200:2013 | for tidal energy converters – power performance assessment
• IEC TS 62600-100:2012 | for wave energy converters – power performance assessment

An at-sea inspection by EMEC provides a path to an ISO/IEC 17025 performance assessment as your technology progresses towards commercialisation.

Tank test inspection

Working to ISO/IEC 17020 as an independent inspection body, EMEC can provide inspection at tank test facilities for the following standards:

• IEC TS 62600-10:2021 | for mooring systems for marine energy converters
• IEC TS 62600-200:2013 | for tidal energy converters – power performance assessment
• IEC TS 62600-202:2022 | for early-stage development of tidal energy converters / testing of pre-prototype scale devices
• IEC TS 62600-100:2012 | for wave energy converters – power performance assessment
• IEC TS 62600-103:2018 | for early-stage development of wave energy converters / testing of pre-prototype devices

EMEC’s Performance Test Engineer team can support you with the design of the test plan in collaboration with the tank testing facility team.

You’ll get a third-party report confirming testing methodologies followed. This will inform future testing, providing a path to progress through TRLs and towards at-sea inspection and performance assessment.

Recommendations report

Unsure how to progress? Get in touch and we can provide a recommendations report to explain how to work through the standards to develop your technology, improving your testing plan, and helping you to prove your results.

For more details, see Technology Assessment Process (TAP) for an overview of our gap analysis and technology benchmarking services.

Contact us for more details: 01856 852060 / info@emec.org.uk.