The Marine Institute, Science Foundation Ireland, Sustainable Energy Ireland and Enterprise Ireland jointly hosted the Ocean Energy Researchers’ Workshop at the Marine Institute, Oranmore, Galway on Friday 2nd October 2009. The aim of the workshop was to explore Ocean Energy research priorities and to identify future opportunities. The participants included Irish researchers whose research interests could have an application in the Ocean Energy sector, Ocean Energy Industry and relevant agencies.
Workshop Objectives
The objectives of the workshop were to:
- Present developments within the Ocean Energy Development Unit and implementation of the National Strategy for Ocean Energy.
- Provide the industry with an opportunity to present industry-specific research requirements
- Allow researchers to showcase their research and how it can address development of the industry
- Assess the opportunities for Ocean Energy presented by the recently published SFI Energy Strategy.
- Enhance communication between research, agencies and industry.
The Agenda for the Ocean Energy Researchers' Workshop (PDF, 353kb) is available to download.
Workshop Proceedings
Links to the presentations are in the following table:
Session 1: Introduction and Background
|
Chairperson |
Prof. Fionn Murtagh, Science Foundation Ireland |
|
Ms. Yvonne Shields, Marine Institute |
Introduction, welcome and update on Sea Change Strategy (PDF, 2.9MB) |
|
Mr. Eoin Sweeney, Ocean Energy Development Unit, SEI |
Introduction and Update on Implementation of the National Strategy for Ocean Energy (PDF, 2.7MB) |
|
Dr. Wendy Mc Loone, Science Foundation Ireland |
Energy Research Opportunities with SFI – specifically the Energy Strategic Research Cluster (PDF, 2MB) |
|
Dr. Ray Alcorn, Marine Renewables Industry Association |
Research requirements – An Industry Perspective (PDF, 1.2MB) |
|
Ms. Marina Donohoe, Enterprise Ireland |
Opportunities for Ocean Energy developers and researchers through Enterprise Ireland (PDF, 2.9MB) |
|
Mr. Matthew Kennedy, Sustainable Energy Ireland |
Ocean Technology and research opportunities at a European level (PDF, 1.3MB) |
Session 2: Ocean Energy Research
|
Chairperson |
Mr. Geoffrey O’Sullivan, Marine Institute |
|
Prof. Tony Lewis, Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre, UCC |
Ocean Energy research activities at the HMRC (PDF, 2.6MB) |
|
Mr. Cuan Boake, Marine Energy Research Group, QUB |
Focus of Ocean Energy Research in QUB (PDF, 6.5MB) |
|
Prof. John Ringwood – Dept. of Electronic Engineering, NUI Maynooth |
Wave Energy Group at NUI Maynooth (PDF, 1.8MB) |
|
Dr. Dan Toal – Mobile & Marine Robotics Research Centre, UL |
Wave Energy Research in UL (PDF, 3.9MB) |
|
Prof. Colin Brown - Martin Ryan Institute, NUI Galway |
Acceleration of Offshore Renewable Energy in Ireland (PDF, 0.5MB) |
Session 3: Breakout Sessions
|
Chairperson |
Ms.Yvonne Shields, Marine Institute |
|
|
Participants break into small discussion groups to consider the following:
- Identify Ocean Energy research opportunities and needs
- Maximise expertise to address these needs
- Develop research projects and activities
The priority areas discussed were: (1) Resource data and EIA requirements, (2) Materials and mooring systems, (3) IT and sensors, (4) Device arrays/wave farms and (5) OE policy. |