Wave energy specialist joins Net Zero Technology Centre’s industry panel

Mocean Energy’s managing director Cameron McNatt has joined the industry panel of the Net Zero Technology Centre, tasked with informing the centre’s board on the trends and opportunities a low-carbon future will bring.

The industry panel is made up of experts to provide input, feedback and advice to the board, to help the Net Zero Technology Centre develop and deploy technology for an affordable net-zero North Sea.

The Net Zero Technology Centre (formerly called OGTC) was created as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, with £180 million of UK and Scottish government funding to maximise the potential of the North Sea.

The panel is chaired by the centre’s board member Neil McCulloch from Spirit Energy and comprises representatives from energy companies including Harbour Energy, BP and Orsted as well as members of the investment community and tier one suppliers.

Roger Esson, head of industry and partner network at Net Zero Technology Centre, said: “Cameron is a very welcome member of our industry panel. Mocean Energy first became involved with Net Zero Technology Centre through our 16-week TechX accelerator programme, designed to help innovative start-ups on the road to commercial success.

“Since then, they have continued to grow, opening an Aberdeen office and developing their technology’s subsea applications through participation in funding calls involving partners throughout the energy supply chain. Cameron brings energy, ideas and significant academic achievement to the panel, alongside growing experience of deploying technology at sea”.

Earlier this year Mocean Energy teamed up with energy storage developers EC-OG alongside Harbour Energy, Baker Hughes and AUV specialists Modus on a demonstration project, part-funded by the Net Zero Technology Centre, to trial the use of subsea power in laboratory conditions, with offshore deployment trials planned for spring next year.

Commenting on his panel role, McNatt said: “It’s a privilege to sit on the industry panel and contribute to the rapidly evolving debate on how we decarbonise offshore operations. As we strive to net zero the accelerating uptake of renewable technologies means the value of energy from the North Sea could actually double and I am keen to ensure wave energy plays a key part in this transition”.

This summer, Mocean Energy successfully deployed their Blue X wave energy machine at the Erupean Marine Energy Centre’s (EMEC’s) Scapa Flow site in Orkney, where the 10kW prototype underwent a series of tests.

The machine was recently retrieved to Kirkwall following a five-month trial period, where it will be cleaned, inspected, and maintained until the start of next year’s testing programme.