FOCUS ON IRELAND
FEATURE SPONSOR
COMMITTED TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF IRELAND’S ABUNDANT OCEAN ENERGY RESOURCES
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is Ireland’s national energy agency, with a mission to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices
Since 2009, SEAI has been actively involved in developing appropriate structures in which the offshore renewable energy sector can develop and thrive. In particular, SEAI has concentrated efforts in supporting appropriate policy development, as well as developing test site structures and grant support.
OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (OREDP) From a policy perspective, SEAI is actively involved in implementing Ireland’s OREDP, which was published in 2014 by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The three high level goals of the OREDP are… » Harness the market opportunities presented by offshore renewable energy to achieve economic development, growth and jobs
» Increase awareness of the value, opportunities and societal benefits of developing offshore renewable energy
» Ensure offshore renewable energy developments do not adversely impact our rich marine environment and its living and non-living resources
The OREDP reiterates the focus on stimulating industry-led projects for the development and deployment of ocean energy devices and systems through the support of SEAI’s Prototype Development Fund. As part of a mid- term review of the OREDP, focused on progress to date and challenges arising, a draft document has been launched for public consultation; the closing date for submissions of feedback on this draft consultation document is the 19 December 2017.
ATLANTIC MARINE ENERGY TEST SITE (AMETS)
SEAI is developing the Atlantic
Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) to facilitate the testing of full-scale ocean energy converters in an open ocean environment. It is located off Annagh Head, west of Belmullet in County Mayo and will be connected to the national grid. AMETS is an integral component of Ireland’s Ocean Energy Strategy and test facilities and is being developed in accordance with the national Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP). AMETS will provide for full-scale test opportunities in extreme Atlantic conditions and is intended as the ultimate test site for pre-commercial stage devices.
AMETS will be focused on the development of wave energy convertors and will provide two separate test locations, at 50m and 100m depths to allow for a range of devices to be tested. The site will be grid connected and will allow for 10MW of production. A foreshore lease for the test site has been awarded after going through the necessary consenting and environmental monitoring processes. Planning permission for onshore aspects of the site have also been secured and grid connection work has commenced. Currently preparation is being made for a substation build, as well as development of multiple cable routes connecting to both the testing berths.
SEAI continues to work closely with Mayo County Council to update facilities at Frenchport pier, which will provide access to the test site. An AMETS supply chain report has also been commissioned by SEAI to raise awareness among potential occupants of the test site of the regionally available supply of goods and services.
OCEAN ENERGY PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT FUND SEAI’s Prototype Development Fund
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www.wavetidalenergynetwork.co.uk
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