Industry to weigh in on AMETS wave test site plans

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has commissioned Cruz Atcheson Consulting Engineers to conduct a positioning study related to the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS).

SEAI said the contribution from developers and members of the industry will inform Cruz Atcheson’s review of AMETS and contribute to its market positioning.

As the organization in charge of AMETS development, SEAI added the participation in the survey could help in meeting developers’ ocean testing requirements.

AMETS is being developed to facilitate testing of full-scale wave energy converters in an open ocean environment west of Belmullet in Ireland’s County Mayo.

The grid-connected site will provide two separate test locations at various depths of water to allow for a range of devices to be tested.

SEAI owns a foreshore lease for both AMETS berths for a period of 35 years which was granted in 2015. It has also secured the permit to build a 20kV substation to connect the site with the Irish power grid last year in May.

It is anticipated that a maximum power of 10MW will be generated at the site, which is the equivalent of providing power to 10,000 homes, according to SEAI.

SEAI is Ireland’s national energy agency which works to transform Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices.