|
|
Wave and tidal energy roadmap sets key goals Energy harnessed from the oceans could provide 15 per cent of the EU's energy needs by 2050 if key challenges are overcome, says the European Ocean Energy Association (EU-OEA). The organisation has published a technology roadmap for ocean energy in Europe to 2050 and says that investment in the ocean energy sector would generate significant levels of employment as well as contribute to carbon reduction targets. Up to 3.6 GW of installed capacity could be attained by 2020 in the EU, and close to 188 GW by 2050, says EU-OEA. Challenges that need to be overcome include commercialisation of a new generation of full-scale ocean energy conversion devices and development and optimisation of manufacturing processes. Reaching an installed capacity of 3.6 GW in 2020 would require an investment of €8,544 million and would avoid the emission of 2.61 million t/year of carbon. The ocean energy industry would benefit from knowledge transfer from and industrial cooperation with other sectors, including the offshore wind and oil and gas industries. The report shows that significant progress has been made in ocean energy development in the last few years, with several EU Member States putting attractive financial incentives in place as well as developing world-class testing facilities. All the major utilities are engaged in the industry. According to EU-OEA, industry development would be supported by a comprehensive research programme to improve the technical and economic performance of conversion devices. Risk reduction will also be required to leverage private investment. Source: Utility Week © Faversham House Group Ltd 2010. News articles may be copied or forwarded
for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.
|
Highlighted Jobs |
|
|