Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre has signed a memorandum of understanding with organisations based in the Chinese city of Qingdao to support the development of a wave energy test site.
EMEC and the University of Edinburgh signed the MoU with Ocean University of China, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, and Qingdao Songling Power Environmental Equipment Company.
The MoU states intent to share knowledge and carry out fundamental research to establish a wave energy test site in Qingdao in Shandong province.
EMEC commercial director Oliver Wragg said: “Having overseen more than 1000 marine energy activities at our test sites in Orkney covering device deployments, grid connections, cable laying operations, data collection and various monitoring activities, we have many experiences to share with our Chinese counterparts that can make their journey a great deal smoother.”
“And by working together, we can help open up markets across the world for wave and tidal energy technologies currently in development,” he added.
Ocean University of China’s Professor Hongda Shi said: “Marine renewable energy in China has the potential for a brilliant future, but we have a long way to go.
“The short-cut for development is to cooperate with the countries who have advanced technology and abundant experience. Scotland is no doubt such a country, and EMEC is the leader of the domain.
Image: Billia Croo wave test centre, Orkney (EMEC)
