The group spearheading efforts to make the Granite City as famous for renewables as it is for oil and gas has teamed up with the European Space Agency (ESA) to explore technology transfer opportunities.
Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (Areg) said yesterday the two organisations had signed a “memorandum of intent” to analyse, develop and implement space-enabled technology and services to support the green energy sector.
They will work together to “foster the development of space-utilising applications” to support technological and business innovation in the renewables industry, the 160-plus membership group added.
Areg and ESA will, as partners, also evaluate the environmental sustainability of energy production and safety of operations.
The combination builds on the work of Esa’s space solutions arm, which is focused on technology transfer and “bringing space and industry together”.
Areg chairwoman Jean Morrison said: “This agreement with ESA will look at the innovative technologies being developed for space activities and how we can use these learning and innovations to accelerate the development of renewable projects.
“We expect that collaborating with organisations such as ESA will bring fresh ideas and initiatives for our members as we continue to champion the energy supply chain to enable the transition to low carbon to achieve net-zero emissions.”
Rita Rinaldo, head of the partner-led and thematic initiatives section at ESA Space Solutions, said:
“ESA is strongly positioned to support the implementation of innovative services relying on space assets to support the renewable sector in Europe and beyond. This co-operation with Areg will allow us to further develop initiatives in support of green transition and create new opportunities for sustainable services.”
Areg was founded in 2003 to support firms seeking growth within the renewables sector.
It is perhaps best known for having spawned the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, owned and operated by Swedish company Vattenfall, off the coast of Aberdeen.
But the group also provides a raft of opportunities for direct access to some of the industry’s largest renewable energy developers through its many events.
It connects businesses with ground-breaking projects, both domestically and abroad, and ensures members are provided with updates on emerging opportunities in the
sector.
According to Esa, technologies for space missions – including power supply and management systems – are increasingly helping the terrestrial energy sector as it works to serve its customers and also to reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts.
“Space technology can help developments on Earth,” the Paris headquartered agency says on its website, adding: “It is imperative that we work together to resolve our energy issues as it will help to sustain our planet.
“Through mutual sharing of information and technology we can all benefit from the technological advances made.”
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