Wave Energy Scotland awards £250,000 to key industry partners

Wave Energy Scotland (WES) has today announced the start of two landscaping studies: one in Materials and another researching Structural Forces. These will help WES identify the future requirements of the wave sector and enable WES to target technology development where it is most needed.  Arup’s team will lead the delivery of the research into structural forces and stresses, and the Institute for Materials and Processes at the University of Edinburgh will, with three other partners, carry out the materials research. 

WES has also commissioned a consortium of seven companies, led by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, to investigate the opportunities for technology transfer from more mature technology sectors into the wave sector.  All three of the studies will help WES to shape future innovation calls.

Tim Hurst, Managing Director, Wave Energy Scotland said, “These studies will assist WES to understand where gaps exist in our understanding that will require future research or development in order to drive the development of wave devices.  I have no doubt that there are reliable  technologies used elsewhere in other industrial sectors which can be employed in developing wave energy technology.” 

Conchúr Ó Brádaigh, Professor of Materials Engineering, University of Edinburgh agreed, “our objective is to establish which areas of materials and process technologies can have the potential to reduce the cost of electricity produced by wave energy.  The University of Edinburgh is leading a team to help focus future WES funding on materials and manufacturing processes that will make a real difference to the development of this vast renewable energy resource.”

Dr Stephen Wyatt, Strategy & Commercialisation Director, ORE Catapult said: “A successful wave industry - contributing thousands of jobs and millions of pounds to the UK economy – will be underpinned by a well-conceived and managed approach to technology development.  Lessons can be learned, and innovative technologies adapted, from more established sectors such as aerospace and oil and gas. Working with WES and our consortium partners will enable us to identify those technologies from other sectors that could accelerate the pace of development for the wave energy industry.”

Jacob Ahlqvist, Project Manager, Energy Scotland, Arup explained, “Arup are delighted to contribute to Wave Energy Scotland’s programme of addressing challenges in the industry. We are confident that we can add significant value to the programme, bringing a comprehensive understanding of structural loads & stresses and the required analysis processes & tools, many of which are applicable to the design of wave energy converters.”