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Ocean Energy: State of play & key technological challenges

Ocean Energy Forum

Brussels, 4th April 2014

Dr. Evangelos Tzimas

European Commission

Joint Research Centre

Institute for Energy and Transport

Energy Systems Evaluation Unit

The Energy 2020 Strategy has called Ocean Energy "an avenue of great potential".

The Energy Technologies and Innovation Communication has identified Ocean Energy as

a priority area for Research and Innovation.

Blue Growth and Blue Energy Communications have recognised the Ocean Energy

potential to enhance the security of energy supply, reduce GHG emissions, create jobs and

support sustainable growth in remote areas.

Ocean Energy: An important

element of the future European

energy system

European funding

18%

Corporate R&D

investment 50%

Public RD&D investment

32%

Total EU R&D investment in 2011

Source: JRC Report on marine energy innovation (2013)

Currently, an Integrated Roadmap is under

development with the active participation of the ocean

energy community, identifying key research and

innovation actions to address the challenges of the

European energy system.

An Action Plan of joint and individual investments in

support of the Integrated Roadmap will follow.

125 MEUR

State of play of Ocean Energy

in the EU

Current status of Ocean Energy in Europe:

• EU is a global leader in ocean energy

• Increased number of technologies nearing

commercialisation

• Increased number of projects announced

• New mechanisms to support ocean energy

at EU and national levels (e.g.

NER300/MEAD)

However:

• LCoE too high compared to other RES

• Devices at advanced TRL but none

commercially viable yet

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Faroe Islands

Ireland

Reunion

Sweden

Denmark

France

Norway

Spain

Portugal

United Kingdom

Ocean Energy Projects in the EU

Commissioned

Financing secured/Under construction

Announced/Planning

Operations suspended

Partially commissioned

Permitted

Project abandoned

Australia: 1.242; 2%

Canada: 8.694; 12%

EU: 39.346; 52%

South Korea: 5.143; 7%

New Zealand: 0.738; 1%

United States: 19.945; 26%

Global Ocean Energy RD&D in M€

Source: JRC Report on marine energy innovation (2013)

Technology challenges

Enabling ocean energy technology:

• Develop effective, reliable and cost-

competitive technologies to fully grasp the

European potential

• Follow different development paths for

wave and tidal

Technology fragmentation:

• Identify common components to develop

supply chains

Risk management:

• Encourage investments to promote

demonstration and early arrays

Grid access and infrastructure:

• Develop/adapt grid infrastructure to

integrate ocean farms

23%

19%

40%

7% 1%

7% 3%

Wave energy Attenuator

Oscillating Wave SurgeConverter Point absorber

Oscillating water column

Bulge wave

Rotating mass

Other

2% 2%

76% 4%

16%

Tidal energy

Oscillating Hydrofoil

Vertical axis turbine

Horizontal axis turbine

Enclosed Tips

Other Designs

Source: JRC Report on marine energy innovation (2013)

Other issues limiting Innovation

Despite the growing interest in ocean energy by

academia, human skills are relatively limited

when compared to those available for other

technologies (~5 % of offshore wind).

Research and demonstration is driven mainly

by knowledge from academic spin-offs and start-

ups.

Total R&D investment remains limited, e.g. 10%

of that for offshore wind.

Lack of stable targets may hinder innovation

activities.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

M€

Public R&D Investment

2010 2011 Average 2006-2010

Source: JRC Report on marine energy innovation (2013)

64 51

78 102

133

220

13 13 23 12

69

183

0

50

100

150

200

250

1998 2000 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011

nu

mb

er o

f P

aper

s

Scientific knowledge production

WP in peer-reviewed conferences Peer-reviewed papers

Overcoming technology

challenges

Technology Development – Developing reliable, survivable and efficient technology:

• Reliability and performance

• Standardisation

• European industrial co-operation

• Synergies with offshore wind

Deployment and Risk Reduction – Increase deployment rate:

• Facilitating access to European test and demonstration facilities

• Logistics: installation, operations and maintenance

• EU cross-industry co-operation for serial manufacturing

• Ocean energy grid integration

Source: SI Ocean – Wave and Tidal Energy Strategic Technology Agenda (2014)

Expected impact

Demonstration of advanced

technologies:

• Pilot array deployment (TRL >8)

• Full-scale testing (TRL 5-7)

Performance and reliability:

• Capacity factors >25–30%

• Availability of devices >75–85%

Supply chain consolidation:

• Optimisation and standardisation of

manufacturing

• Components and materials

Further reduction of CAPEX and

OPEX:

• Best-practice of installation and

operational procedures

• Marine support services

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0.02 0.06 0.2 0.6 2 6 20 60LC

OE

(c€

/kW

h)

Cumulative deployment GW

Tidal Wave

Source: SI Ocean – Wave and Tidal Energy Strategic Technology Agenda (2014)

More than 40% of offshore energy costs can be reduced by common RD&D actions

• Common offshore grid infrastructure and land connectors

• Similar equipment, infrastructure, operating and maintenance practices

• Shared project development and permitting

Business models for integrated farms: increased energy yield, reduced variability

Source: JRC own analysis

Synergies with offshore wind

Wave & tidal Offshore wind

LCO

E

Time

Key developments needed: • Deliver competitive technological

solutions • Foster innovation through a

market driven framework

14 April 2014 10

Thank you very much!

http://setis.ec.europa.eu/