Marine renewable energy development - research, design, install

The UK government has committed to a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions for England and Wales by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010 and to increase the amount of electrical energy generated by renewable energy sources to 10% by 2010 and 15% by 2015. Wave and tidal energy are likely to contribute significantly to achieving these targets as important renewable energy technologies for the UK. The south-west region in particular has the potential to generate substantial amounts of renewable energy from its wave and tidal stream resources. The South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) recognises the potential of the marine energy industry for the region and is supporting demonstration projects in marine energy through the Wave Hub project and the Peninsular Research Institute in Marine Renewable Energy (Primare). The Wave Hub project provides a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary research to aid developments in marine renewable energy. In this paper, a description of some of the new ongoing research being undertaken jointly by researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth within Primare is presented.