"The most energetic waves in the world are located off the West coast of
Ireland," said Peter Heffernan, Marine Institute, CEO. "The technology to
harness the power of the ocean is only just emerging and Ireland has the
chance to become a market leader in this sector."
Wavebob will test a quarter-scale prototype, which is hoped to provide the
most accurate evidence to date for the cost and performance potential for
the device. Wavebob has already gone through a rigorous path of
theoretical modeling followed by small-scale prototype testing in wave
tanks. Some of this testing has been performed at the Hydraulics and
Maritime Research Center, University College Cork.
Both agencies have been working closely to develop a research and
development strategy for ocean energy technology in Ireland. This strategy
will define a phased approach toward product development complemented by
an outline of the investment levels required to sustain the development of
an ocean energy industry in Ireland. The Marine Institute and Sustainable
Energy Ireland (SEI) have invested Euro 300,000 [USD$365,000] in
university-based research and a further Euro 850,000 [>USD$1 million] in
industry-based research of ocean energy technology.
It is expected that the implementation of the Ocean Energy Development
Strategy will see a progressive increase in the range and scale of
research and innovation investment. In 2004, Teresa Pontes of Portugal, an
ocean energy expert who spoke at an EurOcean marine science event in
Galway, said that up to 20 million homes in Europe could be powered by
clean, renewable energy from the sea. She estimated that by harnessing
energy from waves and ocean currents, Europe could produce around 200
terawatt (200 million megawatt) hours per year of electrical power.
The Marine Institute, which hosted the event during Ireland's EU
presidency, is mandated to spearhead all aspects of marine R&D leading to
the sustainable development of Ireland's 220 million acres of underwater
territory and has also drafted a comprehensive marine research and
development strategy for the next seven years.
