This project involves about 60 scientists, developers, engineers and conservationists from across 11 European countries who are working together to find way to measure and compare tidal and wave energy devices (above and below the water surface) so governments can invest in the best ones and get marine energy on tap fast.
The aim of EquiMar is to deliver a suite of protocols for the equitable evaluation of marine energy converters (based on either tidal or wave energy). These protocols will harmonise testing and evaluation procedures across the wide variety of devices presently available with the aim of accelerating adoption though technology matching and improved understanding of the environmental and economic impacts associated with the deployment of arrays of devices. EquiMar will assess devices through a suite of protocols covering site selection, device engineering design, the scaling up of designs, the deployment of arrays of devices, the environmental impact, in terms of both biological & coastal processes, and economic issues. A series of protocols will be developed through a robust, auditable process and disseminated to the wider community. Results from the EquiMar project will establish a sound base for future marine energy standards.
This project has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant agreement n° FP721338
