WavEC Offshore Renewables is teaming up with the Embassy of Canada to Portugal to host Advancing the Blue Economy through Intercontinental Collaboration in December.
The two-day online event (9-10 December) includes a “world-class” roster of speakers who will share knowledge on floating offshore wind, alongside latest advances in wave power, floating solar, hydrogen and offshore aquaculture.
Updates will also be provided on pioneering marine renewable projects including WindFloat Atlantic, X1 Wind, HiWave-5 and Waveroller.
A separate section will be dedicated to leveraging innovative financial systems for blue economy growth.
Panellists include EDP, Ocean Winds, Marine Renewables Canada, Hydrogen Optimized, Natural Resources Canada, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, CorPower Ocean, X1Wind, AW-Energy, Teamwork Technology and Aquazor.
Academics will join from the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy and the Atlantic Lab for Future Technologies. Meanwhile, Government officials will contribute from the Canadian Embassy and Portugal’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Ministry of the Sea.
WavEC president Antonio Sarmento (pictured) said: “We are thrilled to be staging this event with our Canadian colleagues where we can share our passion and global intelligence about the thriving blue economy.
“Both countries are responsible for large ocean areas and recognise the need for a better understanding of the physical and biological processes that occur in the ocean resulting from external drivers, which also influence climate change.
“As international partners, our nations are interested in the sustainable and responsible exploitation of ocean resources in several key areas including energy, food and materials.
“In the years to come, oceans will inevitably play an increasingly important role supporting global economic growth.
“However, if we don’t develop the right technology now to ensure sustainable development, it will have a devastating impact on the marine environment.”
He said the event is an opportunity to debate the challenges and opportunities associated with the development of new ocean technologies and also an opportunity for companies, research organisations and public administration to exchange views and get a better understanding of opportunities they can jointly address.
Ambassador of Canada to Portugal Lisa Rice Madan said: “The Embassy of Canada to Portugal is delighted to be partnering with WavEC to deliver this world-class seminar.
“Building a sustainable ocean economy is both a global challenge and an opportunity, which is why it is important to have international panellists, including from Canadian organisations, share their expertise in the fields of marine renewable energy, ocean technologies, and fisheries and aquaculture.”