Research priorities revealed by marine renewable energy experts

The Partnership for Research in Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE) has said it will focus its collaborative work on three strategic areas, covering technical research, interdisciplinary research, and environmental priorities. Of particular interest is the need to study the impact of marine renewable energy technologies on the environment and local communities.

PRIMaRE - the Universities of Plymouth, Exeter, Southampton, Bristol and Bath, along with the Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the South West Marine Energy Park, and Wave Hub - is working to establish a 'centre of excellence' for the south of the country. It agreed the priorities following a consultation process with all sectors of the marine renewable energy community.

Deborah Greaves, Professor of Ocean Engineering, and former chair of PRIMaRE, at Plymouth University, said: 

"Marine renewable energy has tremendous potential, but there are some significant challenges that need to be tackled if it is to meet its commercialisation targets. By setting out our research priorities, we are issuing a call to action, not just to our own researchers within the PRIMaRE group, but to the wider sector nationally."

The first of those priorities is technical research, which covers a multitude of different topics, from the need to develop better materials that are resistant to corrosion and biofouling and components that offer greater reliability, to better understanding the stress placed upon devices when they are deployed and subjected to a wide range of conditions, many of them extreme. It also looks at issues of efficiency, cost and safety.

The second priority, interdisciplinary research, includes areas such as planning and governance of the seas and coastal regions, and the impacts and implications of marine energy technology for both the environment and the wider socioeconomic landscape.

And under environment research, the consortium will look at areas such as the impact of marine renewable technologies upon the seabed and other structures, and upon marine life, whether through risks of entanglements and entrapment, the transportation of invasive species, or providing new habitats, such as an 'artificial reef'.

Jun Zang, Reader and Director of WEIR Research Unit at University of Bath, and the chair of PRIMaRE, said: 

"We have some of the country's leading researchers in these fields, so there is a great opportunity for us not only to define the research agenda, but engage directly with industry partners as well." 

Stuart Herbert, Commercial Director of Wave Hub, added: 

"We are fortunate to have access to world class researchers and marine renewable energy test facilities in the South of England. This has enabled the South West to attract international companies and investors from across the world. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with PRIMaRE to help define the specific research priorities that need to be addressed to expedite the commercialisation of the marine renewable energy sector."