Highlights of December 2016

Illustration/Tocardo’s Eastern Scheldt tidal array (Photo: Tocardo Tidal Turbines)

 
Tidal Energy Today is bringing you the news that have marked the last month of the year 2016.

Having already published ‘Most read articles of 2016’ and ‘Editor’s Pick: Highlights of 2016’, we have omitted the December 2016 news that have been featured in those articles.

Dutch government plans €12 billion for renewables in 2017

Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Hank Kemp, has unveiled the government’s plans to allocate €12 billion for renewable energy projects, including tidal energy projects, in 2017. The funding will be spent through two tendering processes set for spring and autumn next year as part of the SDE+ scheme.

Penguin skips Wave Hub on its way to EMEC

The deployment of Penguin wave energy device as part of the EU-backed CEFOW project, will take place in early 2017. However, the location of the testing activities for the device, made by Finnish wave energy developer, Wello has been shifted from the Cornish Wave Hub to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney. The deployment of the device is expected to take place early in 2017.

MET-CERTIFIED scores over €5M for marine energy projects

Europe will contribute €5.6 million to the MET-CERTIFIED project that aims to increase the adoption of insurable and therefore bankable marine energy projects through the development of internationally recognized standards and certification schemes, and by testing and verifying technologies against IEC standards for marine energy converters.

NRW may withhold marine license for Swansea tidal lagoon

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) could deny the marine license for the proposed Swansea Bay tidal lagoon on the basis that it would have an adverse effect on the fish in the area. The predicted impact levels by NRW suggest that the lagoon could kill 21% of salmon and 25% of sea trout every year.

France backs EEL Energy with multi-million grant

EEL Energy has received €3.7 million from the French government for the development of its 1MW tidal energy prototype based on undulating membrane. The funding was secured through French government’s Future Investment Program (PIA), and follows EEL’s capital increase of nearly €3 million from June this year.

SEENEOH prepares two berths for tidal testing

SEENEOH tidal test center has completed the construction of two tidal testing berths at the Garonne river, Bordeaux, France. They have been operational since December 2, 2016, and the center is now ready to test tidal devices.

Ostend to construct marine energy test site

The construction of the maritime research center in the Belgian port of Ostend will begin early in 2017. The research center will be located in the industrial port area Plassendale 1, and will house a wave pool and a towing tank suitable for testing wave and tidal energy converters, floating wind turbines, and other offshore structures.

Enel Green Power grabs H24 wave device

Enel Green Power (EGP) has bought the H24 wave energy device from the Italian tidal and wave energy players 40South Energy, and Elements Works, as he company lays the groundwork for the development of a new technological line with ‘huge potential’.

Tidal Energy Today