A million pound funding package to create a world-leading Centre of Excellence in marine renewables, has been made to Heriot-Watt University and UHI Millennium Institute by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). The Strategic Research Development Grant (SRDG), aimed at advancing marine renewable energy research in Scotland by providing a unique regional focus for research and technical expertise, will be announced at the All Energy Conference in Aberdeen on Wednesday 23 May.  

By improving knowledge, research capacity, and capabilities for understanding wave and tidal devices and predicting environmental impacts, the SRDG will play a pivotal role in developing the industry. The grant will enable four new research appointments, two at Heriot-Watt University’s Orkney Campus in Stromness and two at UHI’s Environmental Research Institute in Thurso, as well as bringing together existing expertise to build a critical research capacity linked to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC)’s unique facilities. The funding and associated developments will be a key underpinning of the multi-disciplinary, strategic research programme in marine renewable energy being undertaken by Marine Renewable Developments Scotland (MRedS), which links government bodies, public and private stakeholder interests, and the renewable and petroleum industry sectors. 

Professor Jon Side, who is heading up the Heriot-WattUniversity partnership in MRedS, stressed that all involved anticipated that the funding package would enable them to fulfil a number of key objectives. “Plainly the funding of four new key research posts will make a big difference to our work. But in addition to that, the funding package will allow us to bring together existing areas of academic and industrial expertise and resources, and use that critical mass as a platform for future marine renewables research projects and activities.

“This cementing of key linkages with industry and other environmental and public interests is clearly in the long term interests of development in the important area of marine renewables. There is no doubt that Scotland, largely through the entrepreneurial drive of a number of small and medium-sized enterprises, has led the technological development of wave and tidal energy conversion technologies. We believe that, just as in the 1970’s Scotland became a major player in world-wide oil and gas technologies and petroleum industry related research and development, we can similarly lead the way in the emerging marine renewables sector. 

ERI director Dr Stuart Gibb, who is leading UHI’s contribution to the partnership, said, “The Scottish Executive has said that it wants 40% of Scotland’s electricity to be generated from renewable resources by 2020. It is widely acknowledged that marine energy may hold the key to achieving these targets and the dynamic conditions of the Pentland Firth presents unrivalled opportunities for research and development.  

“This programme contributes to the aspiration of establishing Scotland at the forefront of research, development and certification of marine energy devices. It secures a unique trans-Pentland Firth partnership between Heriot-Watt University, EMEC and the UHI and will provide a focal point for the development of research capacity and expertise in marine renewable energy for Scotland.”

Elaine Hanton, head of renewables at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said, “We are delighted that Heriot-Watt University and UHI Millennium Institute have successfully secured this significant funding. The breadth of research expertise and technological skill in renewables technology currently building up in the Highlands and Islands is being increasingly matched by significant funding. It's a combination that's making this region one of the most exciting places in the world to be working in this vital sector and we will continue to provide strategic support for its development."