A research project which will offer free access to a world-leading network of testing and research infrastructures – including the University of Plymouth’s COAST (Coastal, Ocean And Sediment Transport) laboratory – is now open for applications.MaRINET2 is a €10.5million project funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, and coordinated by the MaREI (Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland) Centre.
The project will accelerate the development of offshore renewable energy technologies by providing free-of-charge access to a network of 57 research facilities across Europe.
Access will be granted through a series of competitive calls for applicants, and the first call is now open to offshore energy technology developers, including wind, wave and tidal energy at system and component level. It will close on 20 May 2017.
Professor Deborah Greaves, Head of the School of Engineering and Director of the COAST Laboratory at the University of Plymouth, said:
“Marine renewable energy is an exciting and innovative industry, and the COAST lab has already played an important role in the development of new technologies. Being part of MaRINET2 will help widen access to our world-leading facilities and enable individuals and organisations to take their ideas and put them to the test in the kind of conditions their devices would face in the real world.”
Housed within the Marine Building at the University of Plymouth, the COAST laboratory provides physical model testing with combined waves, currents and wind, offered at scales appropriate for device testing, array testing, environmental modelling and coastal engineering.
It is a flexible facility with the capability to generate short and long-crested waves in combination with currents at any relative direction, sediment dynamics, tidal effects and wind.
MaRINET2 Project Coordinator Jimmy Murphy, from University College Cork, highlighted the value of the project for the offshore renewable energy sector. He said:
“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."
Jose Luis Villate, MaRINET2 Dissemination Coordinator, and offshore renewable energy director at TECNALIA highlighted the need of collaboration around offshore renewable technologies:
“Access to testing and research infrastructures within MaRINET2 will open collaboration opportunities among different actors in the sector. This is a positive development."
Christophe Maisondieu, MaRINET2 Access Coordinator, welcomed the project:
“The first MaRINET project supported 178 projects over a period of 4.5 years, and had a considerable impact on research into offshore renewables in Europe. We will look forward to building on this success in MaRINET2, and help develop exciting new renewable energy technologies from around Europe.”
For details on eligibility criteria, how to apply, available testing infrastructures etc, please visit the MaRINET2 website: www.marinet2.eu
