Marine Energy: Demonstrating the Viability of Delivery in Europe
Stanhope Hotel, Brussels, Wednesday 19th October, 2011
There has been significant progress in the development of wave and tidal technology in the last 2 years within Scotland. Whilst Research & Development still needs to be funded, the focus now needs to shift from technology development to the deployment of demonstration arrays, to drive down costs and pave the way for the commercial deployment of wave and tidal energy.
Marine energy and the deployment of projects is vital to Scotland, and not simply because of the role it will play in Scotland meeting its future energy needs. There will also be other national economic benefits achieved including the regeneration and employment opportunities which the industry will bring to the economically fragile and remote coastal areas in which the projects will be located.
Within a European context, Marine energy is currently not listed as a priority within the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan - the principal decision-making support tool for European energy policy - changing this would significantly strengthen financing and individual support for the sector.
As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, the Scottish European Green Energy Centre's (SEGEC) aim is to facilitate this deployment, and accelerate the progress to commercialisation. It is therefore keen to ensure marine energy is given greater priority as a low carbon technology that can contribute to EU emission targets and also provide economic development in coastal regions.
SEGEC recently hosted a Marine seminar in Brussels, which brought together representatives from Scottish and European marine energy technology companies and project developers with MEPs, European Commission and EIB staff for an evening of discussion and debate on how Europe can lead the world in the commercialisation of marine energy.
Sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, E.ON and MeyGen, the evening opened with words of determination from Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism, who highlighted the added value which strategic collaboration between the European Commission, Member States and industry could offer to the EU as a whole.
The key message coming from the presenters and the panel discussion was that marine energy was entering a new phase of development as it transitions from predominantly Research & Development to the first commercial demonstration projects. Developers have secured Crown Estate leases, chosen their preferred technology and were conducting pre-construction activities such as environmental surveys and technology risk reduction activities at EMEC. It is expected that there will be at least 5 pre-commercial arrays of around 10MW capacity, either operational or under construction by the end of 2015.
Alan Mortimer, Head of Renewables Policy at ScottishPower Renewables, outlined their Marine Renewables Strategy and plans for their 10MW Islay tidal array. The project is a key development stage in moving from the single device that they are currently being tested at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), to exploiting SPRs larger Pentland Firth leases. The project will drive down costs, de-risk technology and establish the potential of marine energy.
Alan added say "This event provided a unique opportunity for us to engage with officials at the EU level. This is particularly welcome for us given the drive for recognition of the huge potential of marine renewables to establish a new European industry, and secure the support needed to take the industry to commercialisation."
Calum Davidson, Director of Energy & Low Carbon for Highlands & Islands Enterprise, gave a passionate speech on the status of the Scottish marine energy sector and detailed the potential economic benefits for Scotland and for Europe.
Dan Pearson, CEO of MeyGen said "Projects such as MeyGen represent the first step in developing technical knowhow and the commercial operations and growth of commercial tidal projects. Europe stands to gain a great deal from integrating its supply chain expertise into this effort leading to increased exports around the world, and we fully endorse the Scottish Government and what SEGEC are doing for the industry in Europe."
Amaan Lafayette Marine Energy Manger at E.ON said " For E.ON, the opportunity to meet with MEPs and discuss marine renewables is extremely important. Raising awareness of the successes we've delivered and improving the understanding of the challenges to come is vital the SEGEC event helped us to achieve this".
Grant funding to support these first arrays and drive costs down to commercially viable levels is beyond the scope of national governments, as is essential in developing a pan-European supply chain. This is a key moment for marine energy in Europe. With the support and funding from the EU, the early technology advances from some of the member states can be turned into a self sustaining industry that can contribute to 2020 targets and provide economic development.
Please click here to download the ScottishPower and Highlands & Islands Enterprise Presentations
