Italian energy company Eni is joining the group Ocean Energy Europe, taking a seat on the board of directors as a lead partner.
Eni upstream R&D head Vincenzo Michetti (pictured) will represent the company on the board.
Ocean Energy Europe CEO Remi Gruet said: “The addition of Eni to the Ocean Energy Europe board underscores once again the growing credibility of ocean energy.
“Eni brings a wealth of experience in energy production and innovation to the association, which will be invaluable in charting the future course of this emerging industry.
“I look forward to working with Vincenzo and his team on propelling ocean energy into the mainstream.”
After a long history of activity, predominantly in the oil and gas sector, Eni started a transformation six years ago that will lead it to cut its carbon emissions.
Eni and the Politecnico di Torino, in Italy, recently inaugurated the Marine Offshore Renewable Energy Lab, a joint research laboratory that aims to develop ocean energy to its “full potential”.
The lab will work on research into marine energy sources, from wave power to offshore wind and solar power, ocean and tidal currents, and salinity gradient.
The lab is supported by Eni’s supercomputer HPC5, the most powerful in the world for industrial use, and an open-sea test area in Ravenna.
In March 2019, the two partners built the Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter, a hybrid wave and photovoltaic power converter.
Eni stated: “Our ability to devise strategies for an organic growth, robust and sustainable at the same time, relies on technological innovation.
“In order to meet global challenges and pioneer new frontiers in the energy world, while making zero emissions emerging technologies widely accessible, it is essential that development strategies focus on research, innovation and scientific research.
“Thanks to strategic collaborations, Eni identifies innovative and effective solutions while, at the same time, enhancing the industrial development of scientific research and building the kind of expertise that brings sustainable and responsible added value.”