Selkie ‘Meet the Expert’ event – Testing & Validation (Ireland)

Technology testing and validation is a key component on the pathway to commercialisation for marine energy. From laboratory and tank testing to full-scale demonstration zones, there are a range of facilities available across both Wales and Ireland to assist in the testing of technology and wave/tidal devices. After a fantastic session on Welsh testing opportunities in August, this Meet the Expert session put a spotlight on the testing and validation opportunities within Ireland, with experts from the LIR National Ocean Test Facility, SmartBay test site and the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS). Together, these three facilities comprise the Ireland Ocean Energy Expertise and offer a range of opportunities for developers across multiple technology readiness levels (TRLs).

In this session, we were delighted to be joined by:

Ian Power, LIR Operation Manager presenting the LIR National Ocean Test Facility

• The LIR National Ocean Test Facility in Cork, Ireland offers state of the art wave tanks and electrical rigs allow developers access to scaled testing in a controlled environment.
  
  

John Breslin, BlueWise Marine Managing Director presenting the SmartBay Test Site

• The SmartBay test site is Ireland’s intermediary scale open sea MRE test facility which presents an ideal opportunity for device developers looking to bridge the gap between test tanks and the open sea for their technology validation. View the slides from this presentation here
  
  

Annemarie Smyth, Programme Executive at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)

• The Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) is an energetic site where developers can test at full scale ahead of their final stages of pre-commercial development. View the Slide from the presentation here
  
  

With a great deal of support available to developers and the supply chain across Ireland, you can find out more by visiting the Ocean Energy Ireland website here.

For further information on the Selkie project and network, please do so here, to find out how the Selkie project may be able to support your business in the marine energy industry.