Abstract
The present report addresses the current state of marine energy technology by compiling, comparing and analysing existing guidelines, recommendations, protocols and other technical specifications for assessment, modelling, design and analysis of marine energy technologies.
It is intended to provide an extensive collection of fundamental references for wave and tidal energy research and a first input basis for future work within the EquiMar Consortium. Background information is based on the outcomes from previous National, European and International RTD projects and particular attention has been devoted to general and globally aimed approaches rather than methodologies defined for a specific kind of device. The idea is to analyse previous established results in the marine energy pre-normative field and identify possible data and knowledge gaps to be faced in the future for improvement and harmonisation of the assessment techniques of marine energy devices.
This deliverable is subdivided in 7 chapters: The first one represents an introduction to the current status of marine energy and a general presentation of previous international research programs based on the collaboration between academic and industrial partners from different countries.
Chapters from 2 to 6 summarise background information available in different specific technical subjects and are connected to the Work Packages included in the EquiMar project. The five areas covered are:
- Physical Environment and Resource Specification
- Concept Appraisal, Device Modelling and Performance Assessment
- Sea Trial Testing and Full-Scale Design and Deployment
- Policy Issues and Environmental Impact Requirements
- Economic Assessment of Large-Scale Deployment
Each of these sections includes tables and a list of references for deeper knowledge. Even if most of the documents described represent fundamental outcomes generally acknowledged by the partners of the Consortium it has to be said that, for reasons of space, such list cannot be exhaustive and that more detailed insight of specific issues will be addressed as part of the future work of the EquiMar project. Chapter 7 resumes the content of the report and addresses conclusions and recommendations derived by the analysis of the information collected. Due to the early stage of development of marine energy technologies and given the current contemporary effort by several research entities towards the large-scale industrialisation and commercialisation of this sector, the information contained in this report is subject to rapid modification and reviews and updates might be provided in the future in conjunction with partners and outside stakeholders