EMEC to Support Development of Chinese Wave Energy Test Site

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) based in Orkney, UK, has strengthened its ties with China having signed a Memorandum of Understanding with organisations based in Qingdao to support the development of a marine energy test site in the area. The MoU states intent to share knowledge and carry out fundamental research to establish a wave energy test site in Qingdao.

Scotland-based EMEC and the University of Edinburgh signed the MoU alongside the Ocean University of China (OUC), Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (QNLM) and Qingdao Songling Power Environmental Equipment Company (QSPEEC) at the UK-China Energy Dialogue, an annual forum for UK and Chinese government, business and academic leaders to meet and discuss the strategic challenges facing their respective energy sectors.

EMEC’s commercial director, Oliver Wragg, remarked that having overseen more than 1000 marine energy activities at the test sites in Orkney covering device deployments, grid connections, cable laying operations, data collection and various monitoring activities, the organisation has many experiences to share with their Chinese counterparts that can make their journey a great deal smoother.

Professor Hongda Shi from Ocean University of China (OUC) added that marine renewable energy in China has the potential for a brilliant future, but it has a long way to go. The short-cut for development is to cooperate with the countries who have advanced technology and abundant experience. He sees the UK as such a country and named EMEC as a leader.