The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) – based in Orkney, Scotland and Edinburgh University – have teamed up in a deal to carry out research and share knowledge on setting up a new wave energy test site in China.
They will be working in partnership with the Ocean University of China, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, and the Qingdao Songling Power Environmental Equipment Company.
Oliver Wragg, EMEC Commercial Director, said: “Scotland and China have a common interest to support the global development of marine energy technologies. As the first test centre of its kind, EMEC has endured some steep learning curves during its own development, and we see no point in other countries having to reinvent the wheel.
“Having overseen more than 1,000 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”.
Professor Hongda Shi from Ocean University of China, added: “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 which have advanced technology and abundant experience. Scotland is no doubt such a country, and EMEC is the leader of the domain.
“Enterprise, together with university, can make both theoretical and applicable achievements. We hope that collaboration between both countries will make marine renewable energy a big market which benefits Scotland and China.”
Edinburgh University’s Institute for Energy Systems (IES) – with over 50 academic and research staff – hosts the UK Centre for Marine Energy Research (UKCMER) which researches physical modelling of device concepts, development of device technology, sub-systems and components.
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