The EU has launched a new project bringing together marine energy test facilities across the region to help demonstrate tidal, wave and offshore wind technologies in real-ocean conditions.
The €11m Funding Ocean Renewable Energy through Strategic European Action (Foresea) project is funded by the Interreg North-West Europe programme, which is part of the European Regional Development Fund.
Foresea will be led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney and also includes SmartBay in Ireland, Sem-Rev in France and Tidal Testing Centre in The Netherlands.
The test centres will also receive support from industry group Ocean Energy Europe.
Foresea will offer a series of funding and business development support packages to ocean energy developers looking to test and demonstrate in real-sea and grid-connected conditions.
It will announce its first call for applicants to apply for the packages later this month.
EMEC commercial director Oliver Wragg said: “Europe is currently leading the world in ocean energy development.
“The Foresea programme will help cement this lead by stimulating a critical mass of technology development activity, bridging the gap between ocean renewables R&D and the marketplace, whilst neatly building on existing EU initiatives currently supporting wave and tidal energy.”
Image: sxc
Europe targets marine boost
€11m Foresea project launched to support tidal and wave energy demos
By EBS