Blue Economy Webinar: A Framework for Evaluating and Guiding Ocean Energy Technology Developments

The International Energy Agency (IEA) Ocean Energy Systems (OES) Technology Collaboration Programme published an international Evaluation and Guidance Framework for Ocean Energy Technology. The document intends to support international efforts by presenting a framework for technology evaluation and guidance of engineering activity, ensuring that decision-makers have consistent information available to them.

International acceptance of a common approach to technology development and evaluation brings the following benefits:

• Clarity in the expectations from different stakeholders during each stage of development, bringing clearer communication.
• Consistency in the use of terminology, and the process to evaluate technology, ensuring a level playing field.
• Stakeholders working together to build confidence and transparency in the sector.
• Efficient decision-making processes promoting direction of funding to the technologies with highest chances of commercial success.
• Technology development processes consistent across the world, leading to more international collaboration more globally transferrable technology.
• Consistent and coordinated application of other sources of technical guidance available in the ocean energy sector.

The framework applies to wave and tidal stream technologies, but future versions will be expanded to other forms of ocean energy.

The invited presentations and speakers will provide:

• Information about the IEA-OES Technology Collaboration Programme;
• The objectives, content and benefits of the IEA-OES Evaluation and Guidance Framework, and the experience of national and international funders in its adoption.
• An application of the framework in the development of Carnegie Clean Energy’s CETO technology toward commercialisation in the EuropeWave programme.

Presentation 1: About the Ocean Energy Systems (OES) Technology Collaboration Programme Presented by Professor Irene Penesis

Ocean Energy Systems (OES) is the short name for the Technology Collaboration Programme on Ocean Energy Systems, an intergovernmental collaboration between countries, founded in 2001, which operates under a framework established by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris.

Established in 1974, the International Energy Agency (IEA) carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation for its 29 member countries and beyond by examining the full spectrum of energy issues and advocating policies that will enhance energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement worldwide.

The Blue Economy CRC is the member representing Australia. Professor Irene Penesis is the Australian Primary Delegate, and Professor Christophe Gaudin (from University of Western Australia) is the Alternate Delegate.

Presentation 2: Objectives, content and benefits of the IEA-OES Evaluation and Guidance Framework presented by Jonathan Hodges

In this talk, Jonathan Hodges will introduce the objectives, content and benefits of the IEA-OES Evaluation and Guidance Framework, including the updates soon to be released in a 2nd Edition. He will discuss the background of its production and share the experiences of national and international funders and their adoption of its recommendations in ocean energy funding programmes.

Presentation 3: Development of the CETO technology toward commercialisation in the framework of the EuropeWave programme presented by Dr Alexandre Pichard

Carnegie is the owner and developer of the CETO technology, which captures energy from ocean waves and converts it into electricity. We use the latest advances in artificial intelligence and electric machines to optimally control the device and generate electricity in the most efficient way possible.

We have a long history in ocean energy with a track record of world leading developments. We are using a staged approach to our technology development to minimise risk and cost along the pathway. The OES framework provides valuable guidance around the logical development steps and the associated evaluation criteria. It provides a framework for technology evaluation and guidance of engineering activity

Carnegie has been selected to progress the development of the CETO technology toward commercialisation in the framework of the EuropeWave programme. EuropeWave is an innovative R&D programme combining almost €20 million of national, regional and EU funding to drive a competitive Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) programme for wave energy technology. The presentation will highly how Carnegie has been applying the OES framework withing the context of the EuropeWave programme.

The webinar will be facilitated by Professor Irene Penesis and presentations will be followed by Q&A.