Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) Ireland has been selected for European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme funding to advance its hydrokinetic technology.
Through the MaREI Centre in the environmental Research Institute, University College Cork (UCC), lab testing will be conducted at the Lir National Ocean Test Facility in Ringaskiddy, Cork Harbour, to validate system improvements to a full-scale ORPC hydrokinetic turbine and the associated economics, the company wrote.
In addition to UCC, partners for the project include Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Germany, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Ireland and SKF (U.K.) Limited.
“The whole ocean energy industry deeply appreciates Horizon 2020’s critical support and ORPC, in particular, is thrilled to receive such a strong endorsement of our technology,” said ORPC president & CEO, Chris Sauer . “We look forward to working with our dedicated partners in the EU to significantly advance ocean energy technologies and help secure Europe’s global competitiveness.”
“This project will add to the positive success Ireland has achieved to date in Horizon 2020 and also contributes to marine renewable energy technology development which is one of Ireland’s 14 priority focus areas,” said Philip Cheasty , Ireland’s national contact point for secure, clean and efficient energy programs for Horizon 2020.