Ireland’s offshore renewable energy resources, in the form of offshore wind, wave and tide are considered as being among the best in the world. The Marine Institute is actively promoting research into wave and tide energy. With the exception of the Arklow offshore wind farm, the ocean energy resource is completely unexploited.
Latest News - Ocean Energy Researchers' Workshop 2009
Following on from the success of the Ocean Energy Researchers’ Workshop on Friday 2nd October 2009, the presentations and proceedings are now available. The workshop explored the National Ocean Energy research priorities and was hosted by the Marine Institute, Sustainable Energy Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
Wave Energy
Ireland possesses one of the richest wave energy climates in the world. Information on the wave resource in Irish Waters is available, including links to real time wave readings around the Irish Coast, wave atlas and the weekly wave forecast.
Wave Energy Test Facilities
The Marine Institute, in association with Sustainable Energy Ireland, established the Galway Bay Wave Energy Test Site for testing 1/4 scale Wave Energy prototypes. Development is underway for a full scale grid connected test site of the Northwest coast of Ireland.
Tidal Energy
The tides around the Irish coast provide opportunities for future development of tidal energy as a power source. Information on the Irish tidal resource is available.
Ocean Energy Industry
Information for ocean energy developers is available. These include support services and funding associated with prototype development and the implementation of the ocean energy strategy.
Ocean Energy Research in Ireland
There are a range of Irish Universities and Institutes undertaking research projects related to Ocean Energy. Further information is available on Ocean Energy research activities in Ireland.
Ocean Energy Strategy
The Institute has worked closely with academia, state agencies, international research groups as well as the renewable energy sector in the development of policy and the targeting of strategic investment. Further information is available on the development of a national Ocean Energy Strategy.