A new £10.5 million marine energy testing facility has been officially opened at Edinburgh University.
The FloWave facility – opened by Amber Rudd, newly appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department of Energy and Climate Change – comprises a 25m circular pool, 2m deep, that can recreate waves and currents from coastlines around the UK, Europe and beyond.
FloWave can simulate scale equivalents of waves up to 28 metres high and currents of up to 14 knots. It is expected to be used to test wave and tidal energy converters, floating offshore wind platforms, and specialist vessels to install and maintain offshore projects.
“We believe FloWave will help accelerate learning, improve performance and reduce costs for developer," said Stuart Brown, Chief Executive Officer, FloWave.
The testing facility has been funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the University and Scottish Enterprise.
Image: Minister Amber Rudd at the FloWave facility
