EMEC, CENSIS to aid development of new sensor technologies

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and CENSIS  (Innovation Centre for Sensor and Imaging Systems) have joined forces to support innovation and development of new sensor technologies.

By helping innovative sensor technologies develop through technology readiness levels (TRL) and providing independent performance verification, the newly formed partnership aims to fast track novel sensor technologies in the energy sector marketplace.

The support offered by CENSIS can help sensor technologies progress to TRL of 6/7, preparing them for independent Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) delivered by EMEC.

As a Verification Body for ETV, EMEC is accredited to undertake ETV verifications in accordance with the EU ETV Pilot Programme General Verification Protocol.

EMEC’s Research Director, Jennifer Norris, said: “The better the sensors and other data gathering methods are, the better we can understand how the pioneering wave and tidal energy machines testing at EMEC interact with their environment.

“Marine energy developers are generally required to investigate the potential effect of their devices on the surrounding environment, as well as being interested in any effect the environment may have on their devices.”

The Statement of Verification delivered at the end of the ETV process can be used as evidence that the claims made about an innovation are credible and scientifically sound.

This reduces the technological risk for potential investors, helping new technologies increase their market share and differentiate from their competitors.

The pilot EU-ETV scheme is applicable to innovative technologies in the energy industry, water treatment and monitoring technologies, and materials, waste and resources technologies, providing they have environmental added-value.

EMEC is currently running a competition which will provide a free ETV to an innovative technology developer. The deadline for submitting applications is June 5, 2015.

CENSIS is the Scottish Centre for Sensors and Imaging Systems, which aims to bring together commercial innovation and academic research, to drive economic activity in Scotland.

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Image: EMEC/Illustration