University set to hold prestigious European wave and tidal energy conference

The European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC 2021) is scheduled to take place at the University in September 2021
Aerial view of Plymouth Sound
Leading figures from the offshore renewable energy sector will be coming to the University of Plymouth later this year after it successfully bid to host the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC 2021).The biennial event was first held in 1993 and provides a forum where those at the forefront of technology development in the sector meet, interact, present their latest research and debate new ideas and issues pertinent to wave and tidal energy conversion.
Running from September 5-9, the conference will – subject to COVID guidelines at the time – be held at the University of Plymouth and other venues in and around the city such as Plymouth Guildhall and The Box.
It is set to incorporate a full programme of lectures, workshops, technical visits and poster sessions as well as social activities such as a gala dinner.
Registration for the event is now open, with an early bird package available for those wanting to attend, although this is subject to change depending on any changes to the Government’s COVID-19 guidelines (*see note below).

Professor Deborah Greaves OBE, Head of the University’s School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics and Chair of EWTEC 2021, said:

“We are so delighted to be welcoming EWTEC 2021 to the University of Plymouth. We have a proud history of excellent coastal and ocean engineering, and continue to attract talented scientists to join the search for innovative solutions to global engineering challenges. This conference provides our guests with the opportunity to hear from key figures in the European wave and tidal energy sector, which is an integral element of the demand for clear and sustainable energy. It also gives us the chance to showcase our world-leading research and state-of-the-art facilities, and give attendees a flavour of the excellence and innovation that Plymouth has to offer.”

Deborah Greaves, Plymouth Pioneer
Professor Deborah Greaves OBE

The University’s successful bid to host EWTEC 2021 is the latest endorsement of its position as one of Europe’s leading centres for offshore renewable energy (ORE) research and innovation.

It leads the Supergen ORE Hub, created in July 2018 with £9million of funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The Hub aims to bring together a network of academic, industrial and policy stakeholders to champion and maintain the UK’s wave, tidal and offshore wind expertise.

In December, the University was awarded more than £1million by the EPSRC – as part of its World Class Labs initiative – to create a first-of-its-kind facility that will enable physical modelling experiments with wind, wave and currents simultaneously.

It is also leading a new initiative, again funded by around £1million from the EPSRC, to test the potential for flexible materials to be used in the design and manufacture of wave energy structures.

More information about the EWTEC 2021 conference – including details about sponsorship opportunities and registration – is available at https://ewtec.org/ewtec-2021/. Anyone wanting further information, or to discuss a tailored sponsorship package, should contact EWTEC2021@plymouth.ac.uk.

* Changes to COVID-19 guidelines

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, while we are hopeful we will be welcoming as many delegates as possible to the University of Plymouth in September, we have contingency in place to move some or indeed all of the event online should this be necessary. We will constantly be monitoring government guidelines, and will only run the event face to face if it is safe to do so. Currently, it is only possible to register to attend the event face to face. If the event moves partially or fully online, and either we are no longer able to welcome face to face attendees or you wish to change your booking to an online one, you will receive a refund of 20% of your registration fee.

Sunset Offshore Wind Turbine in a Wind farm under construction of England coast, UK. Image courtesy of Getty Images.  

Offshore renewable energy

The University is conducting research into all aspects of offshore wave, wind and tidal energy and working to inspire and influence everyone from academics and industry to global policy makers

Read more about our expertise in this area