The funding was awarded under the Fast Track to Innovation (FTI) scheme and is split between two projects - the InToTidal project and Ocean 2G. Led by Tocardo, the InToTidal project will demonstrate integrated deployment solutions for the company’s well-developed tidal turbines. The project’s partners are the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Leask Marine, and Ifremer.
The Ocean 2G project is being led by Magallanes, and brings together EMEC, Leask Marine and ABB to help develop the second generation Magallanes tidal technology.
“This is fantastic news for the ocean energy sector” said Oliver Wragg, EMEC’s Commercial Director. I’m delighted that the EU is supporting full-scale testing and demonstration to help progress towards a commercially-viable industry. It’s hard to secure private investment for real sea testing of ocean energy technologies so grant support is vital at this stage of development. Combine this with EMEC's wave and tidal testing infrastructure which has been designed to help minimise the cost of ‘getting metal wet’, we have a winning combination to prove technology performance and help leverage private investment into the sector.”
The Fast Track Innovation (FTI) scheme is run by the EU’s research and innovation programme Horizon 2020. It was launched in January 2015 and the 4th round of the scheme attracted 263 project proposals involving 1157 participants by its cut-off date of 15 March 2016. This brought the total number of proposals received since the launch of the programme to 1166, of which 62 have been selected to receive more than 134.7 million euros in funding. Almost half the project participants (46 percent) are SMEs. The FTI supports mature innovative concepts that have already been tested. The scheme has run during 2015-2016 as a pilot initiative under Horizon 2020, with a budget of €200 million.
EMEC is a globally leading facility for testing wave and tidal energy converters in real sea conditions. The centre offers independent, accredited grid-connected test berths for full-scale prototypes, as well as test sites in less challenging conditions for use by smaller scale technologies, supply chain companies, and equipment manufacturers. To date, more marine energy converters have been deployed in Orkney, Scotland, than at any other single site in the world: EMEC has hosted 16 wave and tidal energy clients (with 25 marine energy devices) spanning 9 countries. With over 12 years of unprecedented experience, EMEC also offers performance assessments, Environmental Technology Verification (ETV), a range of research and consultancy services, and has facilitated the development of international standards for marine energy.
For additional information:
