A recent survey conducted by Seaview Sensing in association with Wave Energy Today has revealed some interesting insights into the wave energy market.
A massive 72% of the 246 participants thought they needed to learn more about waves, the reasons give were varied including “Buoy data are not extensive enough nor are data sets complete nor standardised, to optimise the weather window for installation activities”, “Poor access to accurate data”, “A whole host of reasons ranging from wave energy, wave shadowing, flood defence, coastal erosion”, “to evaluate energy yield from sites we need wave data”.
Participants were from all over the world with the US ranking as the country with the most wave energy interest closely followed by Continental Europe and the UK.
In terms of industry issues funding is seen to be the biggest issue. Interestingly 35 respondents thought political will was the biggest issue. Respondents listing this issue were based predominantly in the US and UK with other respondents from across the World including Spain, The Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Holland and Denmark.
Political will was very closely followed by grid connection. Tellingly contacts listing grid connection as the main issue were also based predominantly in the UK with others in the US, Italy, Canada, The Netherlands and Taiwan.
A number of participants pointed out that uncertainty in the industry is the biggest issue.
For further information on Seaview Sensing visit www.seaviewsensing.com or email info@seaviewsensing.com
Notes to editor
* Seaview Realtime Software provides full directional spectra data, measuring waves across a field and not at one particular cell.
* As the radar system is located onshore, the equipment is easy to service and maintain, is not at risk to shipping or fishing equipment and provides a good long term data solution.
* Gaining concurrent, long term wave, wind and current data over a large area may help not only in feasibility studies for offshore renewable energy and system design, but may also allow refinement of the application specification and aid installation, so reducing costs.
* The met-ocean data may also be used in the operation of coastal equipment, for example, providing long-range real-time data may allow precautions to be taken as approaching storms are measured.
* 246 contacts responded to the survey, 20% of whom were wave device developers. Other participants included Energy/Utility companies, academics, tidal device developers, test site operators, wave farm operators, service suppliers, venture capitalists and industry consultants.
Contact – Judith Pigg judithpigg@seaviewsensing.com
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