Page 47 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2018 publication

Winter 2018 European Energy Innovation 47

COMMUNICATION

Role of certification

in advancing marine renewable energy technologies

Internationally recognised standards and certification
schemes bring a wave of renewable growth
opportunities as a new initiative sets out to accelerate
the use of marine energy technology across the low
carbon industry.

The MET-CERTIFIED project initiated by the Dutch The Eastern Scheldt Tidal power plant built by Tocardo
Marine Energy Centre (DMEC) is helping to progress
the development of a global standardisation for marine
energy devices destined for use by industry in the
next years. This in turn will increase the interest from
investors seeking to invest with confidence in multiple
or large scale marine energy projects.

An initiative which aims to increase the adoption of MET-CERTIFIED
insurable and bankable marine energy projects in the
Interreg 2 SEAS region – a European Territorial Cooperation European Regional Development Fund
Programme covering South of England, North of France,
the west-coasts of Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders) – SME’s PLAT-I floating platform
is using the expertise from certification bureaus and test for SITs
facilities in the development of internationally recognised
standards and certification schemes for the sector. to Equipment (IECRE),” highlights Scheijgrond. “We will
provide feedback to the IEC committees by applying the
The project consortium consists of 10 project partners and standards and certification schemes in eight real-world
several observer partners. The project partners are: Dutch demonstrations projects. Amongst others, we will apply
Marine Energy Centre (DMEC), Ghent University, European the principles of certification in projects using the Tocardo
Martine Energy Centre (EMEC), Netherlands Standards turbines, the EEL Energy technology and the PLAT-I
Institute (NEN), Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre (PTEC), POM platform developed by Sustainable Marine Energy (SME)
West-Flanders, DNV-GL, Lloyd’s Register, Ifremer, Tocardo. using SCHOTTEL Instream Turbines (SITs).”

Peter Scheijgrond, project manager for DMEC says: To accurately reflect the needs of the marine renewable
“Certification helps to reduce perceived risks of new sector, MET-CERTIFIED also organises workshops for
technologies used in marine energy power generation stakeholders. A recent finance workshop, led by Andrew
projects and can help to increase market confidence in Smith of Deja Blue Consulting, had as goal to raise
how devices perform and their structural integrity, as well awareness about international certification as a positive
as helping this sector attract previously untapped finance tool in fundraising, and to discuss both the benefits and
schemes and making exporting marine energy technology challenges of implementing certification during technology
across the world easier.” development. l

MET-CERTIFIED is assessing the entire process of More information:
certification, from concept to construction through to
the installation of a full-scale tidal power solution with http://met-certified.eu/
the support of the industry partners. The initiative is of MET-CERTIFIED is receiving funding from the Interreg 2
huge importance for stakeholders seeking information Seas programme, co-funded by the European Regional
and comfort in how technology can be, and should be, Development Fund under subsidy contract No 2S01-020.
certified – critical to groups such as banks and insurers Also the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands,
through to consenting authorities, end-users, test facilities the provinces of South and North Holland and the Belgian
and certification bureaus. Province of West Flanders are providing financial support.

“The MET-CERTIFIED partnership is working on standards
and certification schemes for marine renewables both
at the national and international level through the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and
the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating

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