A marine energy testing centre in Orkney has joined forces with a Canadian counterpart to test rust-proof coatings.
The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) said the joint project with the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) would look at how marine coatings react to different sea conditions.
EMEC and FORCE have collaborated on marine testing since 2011 when they committed to a strategic agreement.
EMEC managing director Neil Kermode said: “Corrosion and other associated issues are a big challenge for wave and tidal energy technologies given that devices could be deployed at sea for years at a time.
“During discussions we realised that the marine conditions experienced at FORCE’s test site in Nova Scotia are very different from what we are seeing across the pond at EMEC, in Orkney.
“So the inclusion of a technology testing program with us will provide a different experience if they then decide to deploy in Canada, or vice versa.”
Tony Wright of FORCE said: “Working in the Bay of Fundy, our sensor platforms have to operate in extreme high-flow conditions.
“Our site experiences 14 billion tonnes of water every tide, moving at speeds above 20 kilometres an hour.
“Working in the world’s highest tides is a challenge, but also an opportunity for technologies to meet the ultimate test of durability: the ‘Fundy Standard’.
“EMEC and FORCE are both working to advance the marine renewable energy sector responsibly and economically, and opportunities like this − to share research, knowledge, and technology − is critical to that work.”
