Free testing offer at Orkney green energy sites

INTERNATIONAL energy project MaRINET2 is offering a final chance to test devices free at EMEC's pioneering Orkney research sites.

The EU-funded MaRINET2 project offers free access to a world-leading network of testing and research infrastructures, including the test sites operated by EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre). The call is open to offshore energy technology developers, including offshore wind, wave and tidal energy at full system, subsystem, component or sensor level.

Successful applicants will receive free access to test facilities between January and July 2021. This includes four offshore sites with varying resources and a range of associated testing equipment.

As well as wave and tidal device developers, EMEC is keen to offer its facilities to a broader range of offshore renewable energy companies through this final call.

The MaRINET2 funding is for transnational access, therefore companies are required to have a base outwith the UK or a member of their team based overseas.

This is the fifth and final call from MaRINET2 and will close on October 16 2020.

So far, MaRINET2 has awarded almost €5 million in free testing access across a European network of 57 research facilities. The project’s objective is to accelerate the progress of the European offshore renewables sector towards full-scale industrialisation.

EMEC project manager Danielle Moodie said: “As a world leading test site in marine energy testing, EMEC experiences a range of wave and tidal conditions across our sites in Orkney, suitable for testing a variety of offshore technologies. With flexible test infrastructure, we are seeing increasing interest from floating offshore wind and supply chain companies looking to put foundations, components, and data acquisition technologies to the test as well.

“MaRINET2 is a good opportunity to reduce the cost of open water testing for energy generators or subsystems, so in this last call for applications, we are looking to encourage applications from across the offshore renewables market.”

Interested parties are encouraged to contact Maud Ezel, commercial project assistant, EMEC, by email at maud.ezel@emec.org.uk or telephoning 01856 852060.

For details on eligibility criteria, how to apply, available testing infrastructures etc. please visit www.marinet2.eu

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