New EU test scheme for marine renewables
The MaRINET scheme aims to make marine renewable energy more commercially viable
A new EU funded scheme worth £7.7m (EUR 9m) is providing access for companies and researchers to specialist marine renewable energy testing centres across Europe.
Led by the University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland, the scheme called the Marine Renewables Infrastructure Network, or MaRINET, offers free concept and device testing to participants - as well as logistical, scientific and technical support for development.
The scheme covers the areas of wave, tidal, offshore wind energy and the environment and has the aim of accelerating the commercialisation of marine renewable energy in Europe. The funding aims to remove financial barriers and help users to access test facilities outside of their own country – which is generally not covered by national grant schemes.
The first call for test applications opened this month. Applicants must work within Europe or in a country associated with the European FP7 programme to apply at this stage. The closing date for applications is 29 February 2012.
There will be further calls for applications running until 2015.
Project Coordinator, Professor Tony Lewis of University College Cork, said: ‘‘This is a great opportunity to advance marine renewable research testing and commercial development for both UK and European companies and research groups.”
There are 28 network test centres taking part in 12 countries. They include Ecole Centrale de Nantes in France, Universität Stuttgart in Germany and the Stichting Tidal Testing Centre in The Netherlands.
More information from: www.fp7-marinet.eu
Article first published in Maritime Journal
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