Making Sense of Wave Energy
A recent survey conducted by Seaview Sensing has revealed some interesting insights into the wave energy market. A massive 72% of the 246 participants thought they needed to learn more about waves, the reasons give were varied including "Buoy data are not extensive enough nor are data sets complete nor standardised, to optimise the weather window for installation activities", "Poor access to accurate data", "A whole host of reasons ranging from wave energy, wave shadowing, flood defence, coastal erosion", "to evaluate energy yield from sites we need wave data".
Participants were from all over the world with the US ranking as the country with the most wave energy interest closely followed by Continental Europe and the UK.
In terms of industry issues funding is seen to be the biggest issue. Interestingly, 35 respondents thought political will was the biggest issue. Respondents listing this issue were based predominantly in the US and UK with other respondents from across the World including Spain, The Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Holland and Denmark.
Political will was very closely followed by grid connection. Tellingly contacts listing grid connection as the main issue were also based predominantly in the UK with others in the US, Italy, Canada, The Netherlands and Taiwan.
A number of participants pointed out that uncertainty in the industry is the biggest issue.
Seaview Sensing will be exhibiting at Ocean Business in Southampton on stand F8 ,
