Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEAMETEC (Smart Efficient Affordable Marine Energy Technology Exploitation using Composites)
Teaser
This SEAMETEC project aims to develop smart, higher performance tidal turbine blades and offshore wind-turbine blade structures at an affordable cost. The strategic objective is to increase the availability of secure, low-cost, low-carbon electricity from ocean and offshore...
Summary
This SEAMETEC project aims to develop smart, higher performance tidal turbine blades and offshore wind-turbine blade structures at an affordable cost. The strategic objective is to increase the availability of secure, low-cost, low-carbon electricity from ocean and offshore energy. These objectives will be achieved by using a novel, but commercially proven, manufacturing process for composites and by adding sensor technology that reduces maintenance costs and increases reliability. The SEAMETEC project will play an important role in creating a new European industry – the production of tidal stream turbines – while also giving Europe a competitive advantage in offshore wind.
The project will be delivered by ÉireComposites in partnership with EnerOcean, two companies with excellent track records in managing European projects and developing new technologies. EnerOcean has performed technology and resource quantification studies on a wide range of tidal and other marine renewable technologies as well as in offshore wind. ÉireComposites has commercialised a novel technology for manufacturing wind turbine blades.
The activities completed during the SEAMETEC feasibility study allowed the project partners to better understand the market for tidal turbine blades and wind turbines spars, to understand the technical and commercial risks involved and to build a business plan.
Work performed
The below objectives were completed during the Feasibility Study of the SEAMETEC project
1. Perform detailed market research on tidal- and offshore wind turbine blade manufacturers
2. Determine what blade size and shape to manufacture based on tidal turbine market demands
3. Determine which size(s) of offshore wind turbine spar to manufacture and test
4. Create a project schedule, budget and marketing plan
5. Create a risk matrix and risk mitigation plan
6. Hold face-to-face meeting(s) with key project stakeholders
7. Perform initial work on selection of materials
8. Create a detailed report on the technical and commercial feasibility of the project
The main results of this work are:
- Detailed market projections and marketing plan
- Detailed follow-on schedule, budget and risk mitigation plan
- Documented rationale on decision for blade sizes selected
- Statement of Requirements for Smart Blade
- Business Plan for follow-on work (SME Instr. Phase II)
These deliverables are included in the Feasibility Study Report (see Report Core tab)
The partners met face-to-face 3 time during the 6 months of the project - in Malaga, Spain (EnerOcean factory); Galway, Ireland (EireComposites factory) and at the Tidal Summit conference in London. Regular telephone meetings also took place.
The work completed as part of the feasibility study has led to the publication of a research paper in EWTEC 2015.
As a result of completing the above activities, the partners have are in a good position to submit a strong proposal to Phase2 of the Horizon2020 SME instrument.
Final results
This project only ran for 6 months so the final results are the same as those described above (the work performed for this period)