SELKIE Draws the Curtain on 4 Years Project Operation

After four years of operation, the SELKIE project has reached its conclusion. This collaborative endeavour between two universities and four industry partners aimed to advance the development and deployment of marine renewable energy technologies in Wales and Ireland. In this blog post, we will explore the key accomplishments of the SELKIE project and its impact on the industry.

Open-Source Decision Support Tools:

One of the notable achievements of the SELKIE project is the creation of a suite of open-source decision support tools. These tools address common challenges faced by marine energy technology developers in the early stages of their projects. They provide valuable decision support information and recommendations on optimal site selection, foundation and mooring design, array layout, and data collection. By sharing these tools freely, the SELKIE project has facilitated cost-effective and efficient development in the marine renewable energy sector.

SLEKIE open source tools include:

A Geographic Information System Techno-economic (GIS T-E) calculator – The most up to date of its kind for Irish and Welsh waters, providing technical information on wave and tidal resource, seabed characteristics, marine traffic, fishing density, grid access, proximity to ports, sites of interest, protected areas  etc.

A Foundation and Mooring Design Tool – providing suitable recommendations on sizing and cost for gravity based, taut and catenary and suction caisson anchors and moorings.

A Generalised Actuator Disc Computational Fluid Dynamics (GAD-CFD) Tool – for physical and numerical modelling of wave and tidal energy arrays.

A Converging Beam acoustic Doppler Curent profiler (C-ADCP) for accurate precise and high-resolution measurements of specific points along the water column.

A Data Logger – a low cost, modular system for recording data based around a single board computer.

A Drone Methodology – A tried and tested method to utilise drones to calculate surface current measurements.

An Operations Maintenance & Logistics Tool – to optimise the logistics required for the installation and O&M phase e.g. the selection of ports, offshore vessel fleet, schedule activity, operational strategy etc.

Sustainability and Commercialisation

In addition to its engineering research focus, the SELKIE project dedicated efforts to sustainability and innovation. A comprehensive economic data report on sustainability and commercialization within the offshore renewable energy sector was produced. The report, based on input from 214 firms, highlighted strengths such as high levels of research and development activity, strong university-industry relations, a highly educated workforce and involvement in more than one energy sector. It also identified challenges, including limited commercial success, lack of financing and investment, and limited government support providing insights for future improvements and progression.

The SELKIE Network

Recognizing the importance of collaboration, the SELKIE project established a network of 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland and Wales. Through networking events, training workshops, and webinars, the project fostered knowledge exchange and collaboration in the marine renewable energy sector. This dynamic business network has set the stage for continued growth and innovation in the industry.

The conclusion of the SELKIE project signifies a significant milestone in the advancement of marine renewable energy. The development of a suite of open-source decision support tools, the production of a comprehensive economic report, and the establishment of a vibrant business network are lasting contributions. By overcoming challenges and promoting collaboration, the SELKIE project has played its part in advancing marine renewable energy technologies and moving closer to commercialisation.