The Dutch Marine Energy Centre (DMEC) has joined forces with the European Space Agency (ESA) to accelerate marine energy solutions.
The partnership will explore the added value of space tech and data in the development of marine energy.
It can play a key role in the acceleration of marine energy solutions and growth for the sector.
Marine energy challenges provide space tech companies with insights to further build on ocean related business applications.
Specifically, the partnership will explore opportunities for marine energy in the fields of logistics, operations & maintenance activities, remote (environmental) monitoring and business case development including resource assessment, site selection and revenue forecasting.
The first step will be the launch of the Marine Energy Tender for feasibility studies in September 2020.
It aims to assess the technical and economic viability of using space technology and data in support of marine energy.
The tender will give an opportunity for downstream space companies and marine energy developers to work together to address marine energy challenges and support technical and business innovation for the marine energy sector powered by space.
The tender will address key operational challenges across planning, logistics, efficiency and safety of operations.
The studies will eventually establish a roadmap towards pilot projects that would start in 2021.
As a kick off for the Marine Energy Initiative, the “Marine Energy meets Space” DMEC and ESA will set up a virtual workshop.
The workshop will take place on 8 September 2020.
It is also the first opportunity for marine energy and space companies to explore cross-sectoral cooperation opportunities within the tender.
In addition, DMEC and ESA will hold a webinar on 15 September to inform participants of how to apply.