Summary Status of the Ocean Energy Development Strategy OE Forum June 2007 www.marine.ie
Background -The Marine Institute The National Marine S&T Agency with the brief to: undertake, to co-ordinate, ordinate, to promote and to assist in marine research and development... provide services related to marine research and development.. promote economic development, create employment and protect the marine environment. Our role in OE is promotion of the Technology development opportunities
Wave Energy Resource Offshore wave resource quantified in Irish Wave Energy Atlas (ESBI, 2005) Pelamis used as reference converter Technical Electrical energy available: 2.4-28 TWhe/yr Accessible Electrical Energy:1.06-20.76 TWhe/yr Upper level is equivalent to Irelands current electrical consumption
Tidal Resource SEI commissioned report on Irelands tidal current resource undertaken by KMM Estimates of accessible resource utilising present technology in the order of 2.633 TWh/year. Majority of resource situated in Irish sea. Large increase in accessible resource expected when slower current velocities exploited
Research capability Hydraulics and Maritime research centre established in UCC in 1979 Test Tank and Numerical modelling capability Active in early wave device development internationally Wave Energy Research Team University of Limerick Development of Turbine (Wells and Impulse ) technology Design of PICO Plant Turbine Test Rig for OWC Turbines Queens University NUI Maynooth
History- SEI/MI Consultation Document The Marine Institute and Sustainable Energy Ireland jointly published a public consultation document in November 2002, with the objective of eliciting discussion and feedback on the approach to the development and utilisation of wave energy in Ireland Three options /approaches for the development of wave energy technology in Ireland were outlined. Option 1: To become a technology leader in the field of ocean energy by committing to a significant development programme for ocean, wave and tidal energy. Option 2: To provide Ireland with the means to utilise the Irish wave resource and develop an exportable core of research excellence. Option 3: To maintain a watching brief in the field of wave and tidal energy.
Economic Benefits of OE Development Study commissioned by the Marine Institute and Sustainable Energy Ireland and was carried out by Peter Bacon and Associates in association with ESB international. The aims of the report were to identify the potential economic contribution of ocean energy to Ireland and to devise a rational,viable and economically feasible strategy to promote the development of the sector.
2006 - OCEAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 15 Year Plan of R&D, infrastructure and industry support measures: Objectives: Support the introduction of Ocean Energy to the Renewables portfolio in Ireland. Develop an Irish OE industry sector. Targets: 200MW installed by 2020 now 500MW (While Paper) with interim target of 75 MW by 2012 1900 jobs created by 2020. Three Phases Development -2005-2007 Pre-commercial (1)-2007-2010 Pre-commercial (2)-2010-2015 Commercial 2010-2015
OE Strategy - PHASE 1: 2005-2007 Objective: to accelerate support for national developers of wave energy devices Must be flexible and responsive to changing situation Elements: Product R&D: Support for tank testing and detailed prototype design. Support for scale prototype demonstration of wave devices. (SEI) Research Facilities: Support for the development of a centre of excellence for wave energy in Ireland by building on existing strengths of HMRC, expanding team and enhancing management and industry access.(mi) Benign Test Site: establish an intermediate level, benign test site to support upscaling of prototype devices.(mi/sei) Management: Establish an Advisory Committee and executive management mechanism to drive the Strategy
PHASE 2: PRE-COMPETITIVE (2007 2010) Pre-Commercial Single Device: Objective: to take the successful developer/s from Phase 1 and develop fully gridconnected prototypes operated as pre-production versions of the device: Pre-Commercial Device R&D : Support to successful devices from Phase 1 Test Connection Facility: A power cable connection to suitable offshore wave and tidal sites. Power Purchase Agreement: In order to attract the interest and participation of Utility companies and finance the operation of the test facility, a short term (3 years) 15c/kWh Power Purchase Agreement is being recommended for all successful projects. Management: Executive manager for OE strategy Research Facilities: Ongoing operation of research Centre of Excellence
Elements and Costs Phase 1(2005-2007) Activity Total Cost Grant-aid Product R&D 8,000,000 3,600,000 Research Facilities 2,250,000 1,125,000 Benign Test Site 80,000 80,000 Management (OEDU) 300,000 300,000 Total 10,830,000 5,105,000
Elements and Costs-Phase 2 (2008-10) Activity Total Cost Grant-aid Funding Device upscaling 6,000,000 2,700,000 SEI/MI Test Facility 4,800,000 4,800,000 PSO/Eirgrid Research Facilities 1,700,000 850,000 SEI/MI/EI PPA(15c/kWh) 2,104,000 2,104,000 PSO Management (OEDU) 500,000 500,000 SEI/MI/EI Total 14,304,000 10,954,000
Benign Test Site Site co-funded by SEI and Marine Institute Licenced Test Site- 10 year lease Site marked with 4 Cardinal marks on corners Wave Measuring Buoy installed and recording since 3/11/05 Access for large vessels from Galway Docks and Ross an Mhíl Viewing point accessible from Galway-Spiddal road
Site Characteristics Site area is 37Hectares Located 1.5 miles ESE of Spiddal new pier on north side of Galway Bay Water depth 20-24 metres
Site use Site is suitable for extended testing of 1/3-1/5 scale wave energy devices (non grid-connected) Device/testing programme vetting group established to determine suitability/eligibility Developers to supply mooring components 3-6 month testing period expected
Some Revised Estimates for Strategy Costs to 2013 Wave Energy Test Site 10m. Tidal Test Site 7m. Executive management 1.25m. Industry access to Infrastructure 11m. Research and technical support 7m.
Summary- where are we at now? Progress on enhancing technical support Interim test site in place and serving its purpose Planning underway for grid-connected test sites Little progress on co-ordination management mechanisms Demanding targets in place International competition growing Short window of opportunity to achieve enterprise objectives. Awaiting clarification on how we proceed now Need to develop proactive spatial planning for larger grid-connected developments Grid/price support mechanisms need to be planned Companies funding/support schemes need planning