Oceans and seas have the potential to play a significant role in providing clean energy. Different technologies are currently being developed to ensure a long term contribution of ocean energy to the future energy system. Among the different ocean energy technologies, tidal and wave conversion systems are expected to contribute the most to the European energy system in the short to medium term, due to both local availability of the resources and advanced technological status. Current projections foresee about 40 MW of tidal and 25 MW of wave energy capacity being installed by 2018.
The sector has witnessed encouraging signals both on the policy side and on projected markets; however, the commercialisation of key technologies and their technical maturity have not progressed as expected. In 2014, the European Commission has reinforced its support and commitment to the development of ocean energy through a dedicated policy framework and its inclusion in both the blue growth agenda and the 2050 energy agenda.
This report stems from the need of monitoring the evolution of the ocean energy technology, industry and market in Europe, with an eye at its global development. It aims to portray the state-of-play of the sector, key achievements, and mechanisms that have been put in place to overcome documented gaps and barriers in the sector towards commercialisation.
The mission of the JRC Institute for Energy and Transport (JRC-IET) is to provide support to European Union policies and technology innovation to ensure sustainable, safe, secure and efficient energy production, distribution and use and to foster sustainable and efficient transport in Europe.
Working together with the policy Directorates-General of the European Commission as well as a network of international scientific institutions, organisations and agencies, the Institute for Energy and Transport (IET) provides scientific and technical support on energy-related issues to policy makers of the European Union. Special emphasis is given to the security of energy supply and to more sustainable, safer and cleaner energy production and use for the future.
The European Strategic Energy Technology (SET)-Plan aims to transform energy production and use in the EU with the goal of achieving EU worldwide leadership in the production of energy technological solutions capable of delivering EU 2020 and 2050 targets. The move towards a low-carbon Europe requires innovative research, effective strategic planning and an emphasis on timely and appropriate action.
SETIS
SETIS plays a central role in the successful implementation of the SET-Plan by helping to identify energy technology and RD&D objectives, striving to build consensus around the SET-Plan programme, identifying new opportunities, and assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of the SET-Plan in delivering energy and climate change policy goals.
The JRC Ocean Energy Report can be found here:
