The Irish subsidiary of US developer Ocean Renewable Power Company has been awarded EU Horizon 2020 funding to advance its hydrokinetic turbine.
Through the Marine Renewable Energy Ireland at University College Cork, lab testing will be conducted at the Lir National Ocean Test Facility in Ringaskiddy to validate system improvements to a full-scale ORPC hydrokinetic turbine and the associated economics.
The project aims to advance the performance and reliability of ocean energy technology electrical systems by developing a more robust power transfer system from prime mover to electric grid.
In addition to UCC, partners for the project include Germany’s Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Ireland and SKF UK.
“The whole ocean energy industry deeply appreciates Horizon 2020’s critical support and
ORPC, in particular, is thrilled to receive such a strong endorsement of our technology,” said ORPC chief executive Chris Sauer.
“We look forward to working with our dedicated partners in the EU to significantly advance ocean energy technologies and help secure Europe’s global competitiveness.”
ORPC Ireland’s request was one of a number of proposals selected to advance to the grant agreement stage out of a total of 78 submitted to Horizon 2020
“This project will add to the positive success Ireland has achieved to date in Horizon 2020 and also contributes to marine renewable energy technology development which is one of Ireland’s 14 priority focus areas,” said Philip Cheasty, Ireland’s national contact point for Horizon 2020.
Image: SXC
ORPC Ireland bags EU funding
Hydrokinetic device to be tested at Lir National Ocean Test Facility
By EBS