The Marine Insitute has been working with Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland to develop a test site for full scale Ocean Energy prototypes. The proposed Wave Energy Test Site will be connected to the grid and will provide facilities for testing of full scale devices in development by Irish and international companies.
Seven sites along the west coast of Ireland were initially identified as potential wave energy test sites. The Marine Institute and ESBI undertook an independent assessment of these to select the most suitable location. A 'Wave Energy Network Connection Point - Site Evaluation and Selection Report' was published in June 2008 and is available by sending an email to marinetech@marine.ie. The consortium assessed approximately 40 marine side and 30 land side parameters. A site off the North West Coast of Ireland, Belmullet, was identified as the most suitable location based on the wave climate, water depths, proximity to good port facilities in Killybegs and reasonable cost of connection to local network. The seabed geology was another critical deciding factor for the cable route.
Preparatory work for operation of the full scale site is on-going. As part of INFOMAR, the site was surveyed in summer 2008. Oceanographic and meteorological intstrumentation were installed to assess the wave climate. An environmental report and related licence applications and permissions are being prepared. Full details are available on the SEAI website