European Commission’s funding programme Horizon 2020 has launched €15 million funding call aimed at scaling up the ocean energy sector to arrays in order to achieve energy cost reduction.
The challenge to be addressed by this call, in addition to achieving cost reduction, is mastering the risks at project level.
Applying projects will have to clearly describe the selected technology, and present evidence at the date of application of previous technology demonstration in real conditions connected to the grid to enhance the likely success of the project and provide a clear cost reduction roadmap that deploying in the pilot project will achieve.
Installing more than one technology in the same array is permitted, but this should clearly have added value to this action, it is stated in the call.
The installation has to be grid-connected, with the technology readiness level (TRL) 7 – system prototype demonstration in operational environment – set as the level to be achieved at the end of the project activities.
Also, opening the project’s test sites, pilot and demonstration facilities, or research infrastructures for practice oriented education, training or knowledge exchange is encouraged.
The expected impacts include delivering cost-effective array by demonstrating pathways to reduce the cost of energy, hence making ocean energy more commercially attractive for investors.
The application submission deadline is set for September 8, 2016.