Aquamarine Power welcomes Western Isles marine energy research project
22 Mar 11
Aquamarine Power today welcomed a new research project that could
help to make the Hebrides one of the most valuable and sought-after
marine energy sites in Europe.
The Hebridean Marine Energy Futures project - backed by £900k in
Scottish Funding Council knowledge exchange grants - is a
collaborative research programme which will undertake a range of
tasks from seabed surveying and wave energy resource assessments to
the modelling of the interaction of different devices and their
impact on the electrical grid.
The project will be led by Lews Castle College, part of the
University of the Highlands and Islands, and has the backing of a
number of marine energy developers, utilities, the local authority
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and the community landlord Urras
Oighreachd Ghabhsainn (The Galson Estate Trust), among others.
Aquamarine Power is to take part in the collaborative research as
the lead industry partner.
Martin McAdam, Chief Executive of Aquamarine Power, said the
project offered an excellent opportunity for the Western Isles to
become a real centre of expertise in wave energy. "This research
will identify clearly the wave energy potential to the west of the
Hebrides and also highlight some of the medium term constraints
such as electricity grid infrastructure," he said.
"More than this, however, it will develop skills, knowledge and
expertise in the Western Isles which can be retained on the islands
and will help generate economic opportunities in the
future."
David Green, principal of Lews Castle College UHI, said: "This
project will take the energy research team at Lews Castle College
UHI from capacity-building to a major role in a project of immense
value to our industrial and university partners. We have
built the team and the skills and the partnerships. Hebridean
Marine Energy Futures will make a significant contribution to
renewable energy developments of enormous benefit for our
communities and is critical to the creation of a vibrant energy
industry in the islands."