Innovation in the ocean energy sector requires extensive testing of components and devices, in both onshore labs and test rigs as well as at-sea testing facilities. Comprehensive onshore and offshore testing enables the validation of technologies and reduces the risk of costly failures. Maintaining and upgrading these test facilities as the sector progresses towards pilot and pre-commercial farms is therefore crucial.

In this webinar, some of the leading ocean energy testing facilities discuss how they are evolving as the sector develops, what is needed for more efficient test campaigns, and how standardisation of testing and assessment procedures for ocean energy can help the sector forward.

Ocean energy developers and investors require robust analysis and modelling tools to predict array performance, optimise farm design, and plan and manage construction and operation. The accuracy and affordability of these tools has a direct impact on the innovation and development process of ocean energy.

In this webinar, you will hear about the latest research on innovative analysis and modelling tools for ocean energy. Speakers will also present tools that are being developed within ongoing European projects: the array interaction modelling using numerical methods and experimental testing under the ONDEP wave farm project, and the maintenance tool being developed within the MaxBlade tidal energy project.

The SafeWAVE project aims to tackle the non-technological barriers that could hinder the development of future development of wave energy in the EU. In this SafeWAVE final event, you will learn how the project has contributed to overcoming these barriers.

SafeWAVE project partners will present the outcomes obtained in these three years of research:

most recent advances in the research on environmental impacts of wave energy platforms and specific data platforms for sharing the acquired data and knowledge;
how to streamline environmental consenting processes and site identification under a Maritime Spatial Planning approach;
how to implement a Public Education and Engagement Strategy to overcome the possible opposition of local communities to wave energy developments.

The IEA-OES Evaluation and Guidance Framework was designed primarily to help public funders design calls, deliver effective evaluation of proposals and ensure they get suitable data from projects. Conversely, the Framework gives applicants a very clear understanding of the funders’ aspirations and requirements and can build strong communication between funder and technology developer.

In this webinar co-organised by the IEA-OES and ETIP Ocean, applicants will learn about the objectives of the Framework along with its contents and benefits to different stakeholders. The webinar will also illustrate why funders adopt the Framework, how this adoption should guide the content of applications and prospective projects, and the importance of the funder being able to access valuable technical results from those projects. The webinar will also discuss relevant tools and user experiences.

ETIP Ocean is proud to present the updated Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for ocean energy. The SRIA describes the research and innovation actions that have the greatest impact on the sector’s development. The SRIA is the sector’s main input into EU and national funding programmes.
The SRIA has been developed through a sector-wide consultation. We would like to thank the ETIP Ocean Technology Working Group for the invaluable input and discussions.
During the launch event, you will get an overview of the ocean energy R&I actions that should be focused upon between 2025-2030. You will also hear a keynote from the European Commission, as Dr. Matthijs Soede from DG RTD welcomes the new SRIA.