Research

World class cutting edge research is being carried out throughout Wales and in close proximity to Pembrokeshire providing developers with excellent resources in the research sector.  Marine Energy Pembrokeshire has links to all of the research projects being carried out in Wales at the moment with many project managers being part of the working group.

It is our aim to make sure that where possible research projects are steered by developers providing industry with assistance in carrying out their project development needs. There is approximately £70 million pounds worth of research being carried out in the field at the moment. MEP wants to see this important work assist developers in the region. Use the tabs above and the links below to learn more about the research projects that will assist the marine renewable energy sector.

The Marine Energy Task Group (METG) for Wales was set up in 2007 to undertake independent, university-based research to facilitate the marine renewables industry in Wales. The Group is made up of leading academics in Swansea, Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities working alongside developers, government, environmental groups, utility companies and contractors. Download a presentation providing more details of the research METG carries out or watch the video from the Pembrokeshire MRE Seminar.

The marine energy research activities of the Low Carbon Research Institution are managed by the Marine Energy Research Group  based at Swansea University, and involve academic, industrial, governmental and environmental groups from around the Welsh coast.  The organisation of the research work has been specifically designed to answer environmental and engineering concerns, and supply stakeholders with the information required to reduce risk and instil confidence, which will ultimately lead to investment.

The Marine Renewable Energy Strategic Framework  project has investigated the potential marine renewable energy resource of Welsh Territorial Waters and considered potential scenarios for the sustainable development of that resource primarily as an aid to policy development and also an indicator of resource for potential developers.

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) is the Government’s statutory advisor on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in Wales and its inshore waters. CCW is committed to working with regulators and developers to support the development of marine renewable energy in locations, and using technologies, that avoid significant adverse environmental impacts.

The MAREN Project is a collaborative-stakeholder linked- international research programme investigating the marine renewable energy forms of; offshore wind, tidal current, tidal barrage and lagoons, and wave, in the Atlantic Area. In the UK, MAREN proposes to work on the following case study sites: Tidal barrage and tidal stream – Severn estuary & Llanelli – Loughor barrage; Tidal impoundments - Rhyl, Bridgewater bay & potentially Swansea bay; Wave - SW Cornwall, Pembrokeshire, the Severn estuary; Offshore wind – around the whole Welsh coastline and Severn estuary.

The SEACAMS Project is a collaborative project between Bangor, Swansea and Aberystwyth Universities. The aim of SEACAMS is to promote economic activity, growth of SMEs, and generate jobs through the expansion of commercial opportunities and activities, in the marine sector in Wales. It will increase economic activity via collaborative research and technology developments and by accelerated and improved knowledge transfer to the public and private sectors.

The Offshore Renewable Energy Impact Network (OREIN) has been established as a Knowledge Exchange Project bringing together specialists from a range of disciplines to share and develop knowledge regarding the impact of the development of offshore renewable energy on the wider economic, environmental, social and cultural fabric of the Welsh coastline.From this shared knowledge opportunities to influence policy, attract research funding and  develop commercial consultancy to sustain the network in the long term will be identified.

Marine Renewables – 09 – Miles Willis from PCF Vimeo