Top news, July 13 – 19, 2015

Tidal Energy Today Staff has compiled the top news from tidal and wave energy industry from July 13 – 19, 2015.

FORCE completes two underwater monitoring platforms

The Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) has completed two underwater monitoring platforms, now in their final stages of testing in Dartmouth before sea trials in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. The Fundy Advanced Sensor Technology (FAST) platforms are recoverable instrument platforms designed to monitor and characterize the FORCE site, at the Minas Passage in the Bay of Fundy.

Sabella to retry cable connection end of July

After delaying the cable connection of the turbine due to unsuitable safety conditions for the equipment, Sabella confirmed to Tidal Energy Today that it will retry the cable connection operation next week using a more suitable vessel. The company is currently in discussions with Bourbon that is expected to provide the Argonaut tugboat which will be used to connect the cable jumper with the export cable. The cable connection operation will take place between July 23 and 27.

OEE: Innovation fund to finance first-of-a-kind projects

The innovation fund provided in a reformed Emissions Trading Scheme must take into account the specific finance needs of the emerging technologies for which it was created, according to Ocean Energy Europe. The comment follows the publication of the European Commission’s proposal to amend the Emissions Trading Scheme Directive, under which it will renew the NER300 programme which awarded grants to five ocean energy projects. Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, said that the new Innovation Fund has the opportunity to fix the ‘design flaws’ in the NER300 programme.

Wave Energy Scotland names Advisory Board

Wave Energy Scotland (WES) has made a series of appointments, including Steve Thomson as the chair of the Advisory Group. The Advisory Group will act as a forum for support and guidance to WES. It will also consider how best to develop the WES programme to achieve the aims and objectives of the organisation. Group members have been appointed for a three-year term, and it is expected the WES Advisory Group will meet up to six times a year.

WERPO to make waves in Sri Lanka

WERPO, an Israeli wave energy developer, has announced plans for the construction of wave power plant in Sri Lanka. WERPO has received approval for this renewable energy project from the Ceylon Electricity Board. The initial plant would have the capacity of 10 MW, with the 10 additional plants to follow.

Tidal Energy Today Staff