EMEC unlocks access to UK research funding

The Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has secured independent research organization (IRO) status from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a public sector organization that supports the research and innovation system. 

This status enables EMEC to compete for research grants from the UK’s seven research councils, including the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

UKRI believes that marine technology, wave and tidal in particular, is of major interest to the government, particularly the Scottish and Welsh governments, as it is perceived to have a potential impact on the UK’s ability to reach its ambitious 2050 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. 

EMEC’s newly acquired IRO status grants the center eligibility to apply for funding from the UK’s research councils. With this recognition, EMEC aims to bolster clean energy research efforts, offering resources such as metocean data sets and facilities for real-world project demonstrations.

“We’re eligible to compete for research grant funding from the UK’s seven research councils. From metocean data sets to project demonstration in a real-world environment, we’re ready to support your clean energy research proposals,” said EMEC in a social media post. 

In April, EMEC partnered with Alyona Naberezhnykh and Orbital Marine Power to study the impact of turbulence on Orbital’s turbine, utilizing data from its test site. This collaboration is part of the broader initiative led by the Industrial Center for Doctoral Training in Offshore Renewable Energy (IDCORE), which secured £6 million from the Engineering and EPSRC to continue research and partnerships for the next five years.

In July, EMEC, alongside 12 other companies, joined the Marine Energy Council (MEC) Board as lead partners. These ‘industry leaders’ in tidal stream and wave energy are expected to play a key role in steering the UK’s 30 GW+ marine energy potential. The MEC Board provides strategic direction for the future of marine energy activities.

In July 2023, UKRI, through EPSRC, provided €8.8 million in funding to the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Impact Hub, led by the University of Plymouth. This investment was part of a larger €62 million package aimed at advancing knowledge, innovation, and technologies to decarbonize the energy sector and support the UK’s net zero targets. The funding is intended to accelerate the impact of current and future offshore renewable systems.