Intertek METOC, a specialist marine consultancy, has been selected by ScottishPower Renewables, an Iberdrola company, to provide modelling, survey support and marine expertise for offshore wave and tidal resource assessment.
The recent ROC (Renewable Obligation Credits) banding review has already started to provide a favourable investment climate for wave and tidal energy technology. This, combined with unofficial Scottish political ambitions to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2020, has underlined the increased need for effective resource assessment in the future.
As such, the modelling and survey support deal provides ScottishPower Renewables with the means through which to develop and implement wave and tidal initiatives more widely.
Under the terms of the agreement, Intertek METOC will work on two Scottish projects – a 95MW tidal energy scheme in Ness of Duncansby and a 50MW wave energy project located at Marwick Head.
“Scotland has rapidly emerged as a global leader in offshore marine energy and the importance of gaining the correct information at early project stages cannot be underestimated,” said Chris Mooij, Director, Intertek METOC.
“By working with our partners on this project we will provide advanced data modelling and resource assessment, which will enable renewable energy developers to choose the most efficient sites and implement the best technology.
“The work will be used to enhance existing knowledge and understanding of the wave and tidal space, and will be of real benefit for future large-scale marine renewable developments located around the UK.”
The work will provide ScottishPower Renewables with detailed information on the waves and hydrodynamics at each site, as well as predictions of wave and tidal technology performance. The study will provide a full understanding of likely power output and through-life costs of the technology once it has been successfully deployed.
Alan Mortimer, Head of Innovation at ScottishPower Renewables said: “As a long-standing player within the offshore energy space, we selected Intertek METOC for its proven track record in marine consultancy and modelling. We recognise the importance of the resource assessment to the technical development of the site and ultimately the project economics. We therefore, set out to put in place a highly competent expert who could also provide valuable advice on the wider challenges of offshore marine developments.”
Intertek METOC will be exhibiting at the RenewableUK Wave & Tidal conference in Edinburgh on 15th March 2012. Stand number 10.
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Offshore WIND staff, March 16, 2012; Image: from ScottishPower Renewables