EU-agreement on the Res-Directive and its impact on wave energy
The agreement reached between the European Parliament, the French Presidency on behalf of the Council and the European Commission on the Res-e Directive represents a crucial step forward in the development of renewables.
The Res-e directive recognizes the relevance of local or regional small and medium-sized enterprises in seizing the opportunities for establishing economic growth through innovation and a sustainable competitive energy policy, with a strong focus on regional and local renewable energy. Read more

The European strategic energy technology plan

Within its communication of 22nd November 2007 entitled ‘A European strategic Energy Technology Plan – Towards a low carbon future’, the EC presents a strategic plan to accelerate the development and deployment of cost-effective low carbon technologies. This plan comprises measures related to planning, implementation, resources and international cooperation in the field of energy technologies.
The set-plan aims to help achieve the European objectives as regards climate change, security of energy supply and competitiveness of the European industry.
In the short term the aim is to increase research and development, to reduce cost and improve performance of existing Technologies, by encouraging the commercial implementation of these technologies. Read more

Environmental Issues on Ocean Energy Development: the need for a common approach and the new Annex IV of IEA-OES

The present understanding on the environmental issues related with large scale ocean energy projects started to be discussed in the scope of EU-funded projects, such as the WaveNet (5FP, 2002-2003), CA-OE (5FP, 2004-2007), WAVETRAIN (6FP, 2004-2008), WAVEPLAM (IEE, 2007-2010), and EquiMar (7FP, 2008-2011). Under the thematic network on the development of ocean energy systems called ‘WaveNet' eighteen organisations from nine countries participated in the identification of expected impacts, sharing European understanding on this topic and using the experience from offshore wind. Read more

Siadar Wave Energy Project (SWEP)

On the 22nd January 2009 the Scottish Government granted consent for the Siadar Wave Energy Project (SWEP) on the Scottish island of Lewis.
The SWEP is being developed by the renewable energy developer and operator npower renewables, a fully owned subsidiary of RWE Innogy, and uses wave energy technology developed by Inverness-based company Wavegen, a wholly owned subsidiary of Voith Siemens Hydro. The wave power station will consist of a concrete breakwater structure located ca.350 metres off the coast at Siadar Bay with an electricity generation capacity of around 4 MW. Read more

Spanish situation on ocean energy

Ocean energy in Spain is having a late deployment in comparison with other countries with a similar ocean power potential, such as UK or Portugal . Nevertheless, activities involving ocean energy (basically wave power) have been growing steadily since 2005. This article sums up key activities for the development of ocean energy in Spain regarding policies, research & development, and demonstration projects. Read more

The Saltire Prize

The Scottish Government has opened a challenge to scientists and businesses around the world with the newly created Saltire Prize that offers £10 million for the winning team of developers of wave and tidal energy technology. Read more

Interview

Stephanie Thornton is the Executive Director of the Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET). She joined OWET in April 2008. Prior to joining OWET, she served as a program manager with Portland General Electric and as Chief of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program. She also served as the Executive Director of the Coastal Resources Center , Executive Director of Humboldt Fishermen's Management Association in California and as a Commissioner on the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission. Read more

Forthcomming Events

3rd International Seminar on Ocean Energy
2 April 2009, Bilbao, Spain
organised by WAVEPLAM project.

"Towards the Harmonisation of Ocean Energy Development and Deployment"
3 April 2009, Bilbao, Spain

Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference
15-16 Apr 2009, Washington, USA.

BWEA Marine 09
30 April 2009, Bath , UK

World Renewable Energy Congress
19-22 May 2009, Bangkok , Thailand

International conference on the European Electricity Market (EEM 09)
Leuven, Belgium, May 27 - 29 2009.

OMAE 2009
31 May 5 June 2009, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Energy Ocean 2009
16-18 June 2009, Rockport, Maine USA.

ISOPE 2009
21-26 June 2009

EWTEC 2009 - 8th European Wave and Tidal Energy
7-10 September 2009, Uppsala, Sweden.