The University of Edinburgh in Scotland has announced it has inaugurated a world-class testing facility for marine energy devices.
The FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility, which is managed by University subsidiary company FloWave TT Ltd, will be used to recreate waves and currents from coastlines around the UK, Europe and beyond.
The circular pool, which is 25m across and 2m deep, can simulate scale version equivalents of waves up to 28 metres high and currents of up to 14 knots, using 2.4 million litres of water.
Researchers and industrial partners can use the facility to develop and refine full-scale devices, the University said in a statement. These could include wave and tidal energy converters, floating offshore wind platforms, and vessels to install and maintain offshore projects.
The £9.5 million FloWave facility was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the University.
"EPSRC’s investment in the FloWave facility will help keep the UK at the forefront of marine energy technology research and development," said Professor Philip Nelson, Chief Executive, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. "Research here can accelerate the deployment of these technologies which, in turn, will help us meet our low-carbon targets create jobs and boost growth."
Image: © Callum Bennetts/Maverick Photo Agency
