Five companies based in Ireland, France and the UK are to share research technology in order to reduce risks faced by developers of renewable tidal and wave power schemes around north western European coast lines.
The Methods to Obtain Refined Environmental Data from the Seas (Moredatas) project addresses uncertainties faced by developers through the implementation of Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs).
ADCPs are seabed mounted acoustic devices used to measure tidal currents and wave heights.
Next generation ADCPs will be deployed at a number of sites, over the course of the project, which will start at the end of the year.
The project coordinator is DynamOcean Sarl from France. The other companies are Applied Renewables Research, DP Energy, Tidal Energy and Ecole Centrale de Nantes.
David Fitzgerald is the resource assessment lead with DP Energy and Project Engineer for the Fair Head Tidal Energy Park off the coast of County Antrim.
He said the outcome of the joint programme will be to reduce risk through the reduction of energy production uncertainty.
“Our objective is to deliver more robust design data so that developers of ocean energy can move more quickly in determining the most efficient and appropriate technologies, to ascertain more clearly whether or not a site is right and to generally provide them with a more accurate picture of the environment in which they are investing,” he said.
Image: sxc
Tri-nation deal tackles marine risks
Companies from Ireland, France and the UK involved in research project
By EBS