(EUROPE)
Companies developing clean energy technologies in Europe can apply to test their products in real world conditions thanks to a multi-million euro initiative.
Th €10.5m European Commission (EC) funded MaRINET2 project opens the door to the continent’s premier testing sites allowing developers the opportunity to try out their innovations and more quickly move towards commercialisation.
“Over the next four years, MaRINET2 will be an important instrument in reducing the cost of development in Europe’s offshore renewable energy sector. It will keep innovative new technologies progressing towards the marketplace, and keep Europe at the cutting edge of development globally. It will also strengthen Europe’s network of world-leading offshore renewables research infrastructure,” said MaRINET2 Project Coordinator, Jimmy Murphy, University College Cork.
Financed through the EC’s Horizon 2020 programme, and coordinated by the MaREI (Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland) Centre, the programme will give the selected applicants free access to top testing facilities, including those at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.
Eileen Linklater, Commercial Manager at EMEC, added: “Real sea testing is fundamental to proving performance and helping technologies develop in the ocean energy sector. EMEC is delighted to be able to participate in the Marinet 2 project, to enable our sites to be used for research and demonstration. As well as very challenging grid-connected connected sites, EMEC offers more accessible non-grid-connected sites which can be used for testing small scale wave and tidal devices, as well as components, subsystems, materials and equipment – helping technology developers step into seawater with reduced time, cost and risk.”
The call will close on 20th May 2017.
