The UK and Ireland could potentially harness 27GW of wave energy capacity contributing to a 100% renewable energy system by 2050, according to a new study.
LUT University in Finland investigated a series of potential scenarios for the UK and Ireland to successfully transition towards a 100% renewable energy system by 2050.
The best performing scenario in terms of managing energy system cost and security forecast that the UK should seek to harness 27GW of wave energy capacity.
With electricity consumption potentially trebling by 2050, the study shows the UK will need 27GW of wave energy to reach the lowest cost, net zero energy system.
LUT University’s research paper ultimately concluded that a broad combination of renewables must be applied in the UK with storage, sector coupling, and flexibility in order to reach 100% renewable energy.
This will involve a mix of renewables including wind, solar, wave, tidal, geothermal, biomass and hydropower.
Professor for solar economy at LUT University Christian Breyer, who led the study, said: “Wave power has a high potential globally, in Europe and in particular along the Atlantic coasts in the UK and Ireland.
“For the first time we could show the high economic attractiveness of wave power for the entire energy system, which has to be now enabled with the right general framework for wave power.”
Marine Energy Council policy director Richard Arnold said: “LUT University’s compelling report reinforces the importance of wave energy in the UK’s energy transition.
“The UK has the maritime expertise, offshore engineering experience and supply chains to lead the world in harnessing wave energy.
“It is critical that the UK government provides a clear route to market and supports the wave energy industry investing in coastal communities and beyond.”
Recently wave energy company CorPower Ocean announced an “industry breakthrough” after completing the first cycle of the ocean commissioning for its first commercial scale device off the coast of northern Portugal.
Arnold added: “CorPower Ocean’s commercial-scale breakthroughs in Portugal, demonstrates that wave energy is ready to realise its crucial role in a secure and cost-effective transition to net zero.”
Recently the Marine Energy Council gave evidence to the UK government’s Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee inquiry into securing the domestic supply chain.
“The government has an opportunity to embed UK content in marine energy projects deployed in its waters and around the world,” said Arnold.
“We are now calling for a consistent route to market for wave energy with clear and ambitious targets of at least 300MW deployed by 2035,” he added.
LUT University’s research article was recently published by the Institute of Engineering & Technology.