Marine energy technologies have a champion

By working with governments of member states, the European Parliament and European Commission, it provides guidance for this new sector as it continues to scale-up from the research labs and into commercialisation.

The European Ocean Energy Association does this by producing documents like the Industry Vision Paper 2013 and by participating in working groups on European Commission initiatives such as the forthcoming Integrated Roadmap, which will plan and prioritise the development of innovative solutions for the European energy system for 2020, 2030 and beyond. It also coordinates the European SI Ocean project, which strengthens wave and tidal energy networks by enhancing collaboration across research and development in the ‘Atlantic Arc’ countries (Denmark, France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the UK).

All these activities take place in the wider context of Europe’s move towards a clean, resource efficient energy sector. The EU aims to source 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 and the debate on new targets for 2030 is taking place over the next year. In order to meet these goals, the EU supports the European Ocean Energy Association and backs the continued development of its technologies (namely wave, tidal, ocean thermal energy conversion and salinity gradient.

To promote the success of the sector, the European Ocean Energy Association will have its annual conference, OceanEnergy Europe 2013, on 29 and 30 October in Edinburgh. This conference is an international forum for industry and senior decision makers from Member States and EU institutions to network and develop strategic plans for accelerating development across the sector. The event will feature many high level industry speakers, European commissioners and state representatives such as Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond.

For further information about ocean energy in Europe and the OceanEnergy Europe 2013 conference, visit www.oceanenergy-europe.eu