Business and industry leaders are to be invited to lend their support to a groundbreaking research effort that will strengthen Scotland's pivotal role in the development of marine renewable energy.

The Heriot-Watt University project is designed to maximise efforts to harness the enormous energy reserves to be found in waves and tidal currents around the Scottish coast.

Based at the university's International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) in Orkney, the aim is to overcome the technical, social and environmental challenges which could hinder the development of marine renewables.

The initiative has already attracted substantial public sector support, with HIE Orkney and Orkney Islands Council each providing £240,000 for the MREDS (Marine Renewable Energy Development in Scotland) programme.

Working in partnership with the UHI Millennium Institute and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), the project team has also secured more than £1 million as a Strategic Research Development Grant from the Scottish Funding Council.

At a launch event at the Aberdeen headquarters of oil company Total E&P UK Ltd, on Tuesday November 6, leading businesses have the chance to become actively engaged as well - as sponsors of MREDS.

They include multi nationals involved in the oil, gas and offshore construction sectors, businesses interested in financing marine renewables, and a range of government agencies.

Former Deputy First Minister Lord Wallace of Tankerness, recently appointed as an Honorary Professor in the university's Institute of Petroleum Engineering, will host the event as chairman of the MREDS steering group.

He said: "The launch of MREDS is a further significant milestone in the development of Scotland and Orkney's marine renewables potential.

"By bringing together leading figures in industry and academia, and covering a range of important complementary work streams - including lessons to be learned from experience in the oil and gas industry - this project will serve to nurture a sector which is vital for all our futures."

ICIT programme director, Professor Jon Side, said the aim was to find practical solutions to the challenges that need to be overcome before wave and tidal technologies become an important source of sustainable energy for Scotland.

"We want to look at potential constraints - like the grid infrastructure in the Highlands and Islands - address any environmental concerns, and find ways for coastal communities to become involved in and benefit from this new industry," he said.

"We believe there's big potential for an exchange of ideas and expertise between the established offshore energy sectors and the companies that are pioneering the development of tidal and wave technologies.

"We hope the MREDS launch event will be seen as an exciting opportunity to join and shape our research efforts - ensuring they remain closely targeted on maintaining Scotland's position as a world leader in the development of marine renewables."

HIE Orkney chief executive Ken Grant said that as the home of EMEC - the world's first test facility for tidal and wave energy devices - the islands were the ideal location to base the MREDS programme.

"We took an early decision to support this industry-led, industry relevant research initiative," he said.

"MREDS will be focused on the needs of an entirely new energy sector that has huge power generating potential that could benefit all of our lives.

"Links with business and industry will be vital to its success and we hope many of those at the launch event will take the opportunity to champion this important research programme."