Green Technology Theatre
Speakers' biographies
Matthew Chinn
Matthew Chinn
Managing Director Energy Sector UK and Sector Lead North West Europe.
Matthew joined Siemens in 1998, via the acquisition of Westinghouse, where he was appointed Director of Marketing for the Long Term Service Business in Erlangen, Germany. In 2003 Matthew moved to the UK where he oversaw the business transformation project of converting the former C.A.Parsons Steam Turbine Factory in Newcastle into a Service and Maintenance business dedicated to the UK market and supporting the remaining Parsons technology fleet around the world.
In Oct 2004 Matthew moved to Muelheim in Germany to take up the position of Global Head of Steam Turbine Service.
In January 2007, Matthew was appointed as European Head of the Energy Service Division where he was responsible for the service activities for the Service Fossil (SF) business unit within Europe and implementation of the major projects for SF across Europe, Middle East and Asia.
Matthew was appointed Managing Director Energy Sector UK and Sector Lead North West Europe in April 2010.
Prior to the acquisition of Westinghouse by Siemens, Matthew was located in Orlando USA where he worked for Westinghouse New Unit plant sales and spent two years in Singapore with a specific focus on fast track barge mounted power solutions.
Earlier in his career Matthew worked for Rechem International, an environmental company in the UK, and prior to that spent five years in the Middle East with the Westinghouse service company, ISCOSA, providing electrical and mechanical services to the oil and gas and utility businesses in the region.
Educated at Bedford School in the UK and with an MBA from Leicester University, Matthew is married with two children and enjoys playing tennis in his free time.
Ralf Christian
Infrastructure Smart Grids Super Grids?
Ralf Christian (44) has been Chief Executive Officer of the Power Distribution Division at Siemens AG Energy Sector since January 2008.
He is responsible for the global affairs of Power Distribution, Service and Automation included. Furthermore, the graduated engineer is elected president of the European T&D Association and vice chairman of the ZVEI specialist association power engineering. After a variety of Management positions within the Siemens AG Germany and General Electrics in Spain and Italy, Ralf Christian returned to Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution in Erlangen, where he presided over the High Voltage Division since December 2004.
Stefan Denig
Sustainable Cities: The European Green City Index
How green are European cities? The European Green City Index measures and rates the environmental performance of 30 leading cities from 30 European countries, as well as their commitment to reducing their environmental impact. Thereby it enhances the understanding and aids the decision-making abilities of all those interested in the cities’ environmental performance. This unique study was conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and sponsored by Siemens.
The goal of the European Green City Index is to aid efforts and understanding in this field and to allow key stakeholder groups – such as city administrators, policymakers, or infrastructure providers – to compare their city’s performance against others. The study also seeks to provide context by explaining the challenges, strengths and weaknesses of each city, but also highlighting emerging best practice and innovative ideas that others might wish to follow.
Stefan Denig
Stefan Denig is Head of Corporate Communications - Issue Management at Siemens AG, based in Munich, Germany. His work includes identifying major trends with business relevance for Siemens and managing research projects and thought leadership programs on issues of public debate.
Stefan has undertaken extensive projects on the issues of urbanisation, demographic change and climate protection. He is leading a research program on sustainable infrastructure and resource efficiency in urban agglomerations. A comprehensive stakeholder research on urban infrastructure issues in the world’s 25 largest cities was published at the 2007 World Economic Forum in Davos (“Megacity Challenges – A Stakeholder perspective”). He also led the development of the first ranking regarding the environmental sustainability of Europe’s major cities which was published at the 2009 UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen (COP15) and will be rolled out to cities worldwide.
Colin Henry
Driving the Green Agenda
Who is driving the agenda for reducing emissions and using energy more wisely? Is it technologists, energy generators and retailers, politicians or energy users? Is this a passing phase, or are there already visible trends? There is no indication yet that European countries will use less energy, although consumption per head is not a straightforward measure of economic activity. And the energy content of manufactured imports is not yet taken into account in most national calculations. Could carbon trading become a new mechanism for import protectionism? Siemens reviews the bigger picture and contemplates the real impact of distributed generation and e-vehicles.
Colin Henry
Colin Henry is Business Development Manager for Siemens Transmission and Distribution Ltd. Colin leads and co-ordinates Siemens Smart Grid activities within the UK Energy Sector, working closely with headquarter colleagues in sharing best practice from global regions. Previously Colin worked within the Energy Automation field where he held various engineering roles including Principal Engineer, before moving in to management more than 10 years ago; he has held different roles within Services, Engineering and Operations Management, including overseas (Near Middle East).
Colin is a member of the IET and BEAMA’s Smart grid working group and Siemens global Smart grid strategy group. Colin lives in Low Fell with his wife Karen and their twin girls.
Martin Pollock
Driving the Green Agenda
Who is driving the agenda for reducing emissions and using energy more wisely? Is it technologists, energy generators and retailers, politicians or energy users? Is this a passing phase, or are there already visible trends? There is no indication yet that European countries will use less energy, although consumption per head is not a straightforward measure of economic activity. And the energy content of manufactured imports is not yet taken into account in most national calculations. Could carbon trading become a new mechanism for import protectionism? Siemens reviews the bigger picture and contemplates the real impact of distributed generation and e-vehicles.
Martin Pollock
Director, Siemens Metering Services, Martin Pollock trained as a civil engineer and architect before entering the computer graphics industry in the ‘80s. He led the development of specialist scanning equipment for 3D digital terrain modelling and land-mass simulation systems at Laser-Scan before joining the utilities industry in 1990. After several years with Landis & Gyr where he held senior posts in R&D, marketing and sales within its global Building Technology and Metering businesses, he joined Siemens in 1998.
As head of sales and marketing for the newly-formed metering services unit he was closely involved in a succession of acquisitions and divestments which created the biggest independent provider of metering services in the UK, and which provides the global headquarters for all of Siemens smart metering activities.
Martin is part of the Expert Group on Smart Metering at Ofgem.
He is married with four children and is, inexplicably, an avid Shrewsbury Town FC fan.
Gordon Wakeford
Sustainable Transport - Complete Mobility
Left unchecked, the inexorable demand for increased mobility will generate an unsustainable level of environmental impact. However, the deployment of a more intelligent transportation strategy coupled with developments in mobility technologies can prevent undesirable outcomes. This presentation explores how the Siemens “Complete Mobility” concept answers these issues and will briefly cover:
Impact of technology developments such as high efficiency trains, hybrid drives for public transport applications and opportunities for electric vehicles.
Efficient mobility solutions that allow intelligent co-ordination of different transport systems
Benefits of low energy traffic light systems
Intelligent traffic control systems that reduce congestion and improve journey times whilst simultaneously reducing carbon emissions.
Gordon Wakeford BSc (Hons), C.Eng, MIET, FIHT, Managing Director, Siemens Mobility in the UK
Appointed Divisional Managing Director Siemens Mobility UK in August 2008, Gordon Wakeford is responsible for leading the Siemens Traffic Solutions, Siemens Infrastructure Logistics, Rail Automation and Rail Rolling Stock businesses in the UK. With a headcount of some 1700 employees these businesses deliver total traffic solutions, airport baggage handling systems, postal automation equipment, rail electrification, signalling and train supply and maintenance throughout the country. Gordon is a member of the UK Siemens Industry Executive Management Board and the Siemens Mobility International Management Board. He is also a non Executive Director for Siemens Roke Manor Research UK.
Prior to taking over his current role, Gordon was the Managing Director of Siemens Traffic Controls and prior to this the Managing Director of Standard Drives, Congleton. Gordon was responsible for the overall management, strategic development and co-ordination of Siemens activities within these businesses. During his Congleton appointment he was seconded to German operations for 14 months.
Gordon is the Siemens representative on the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Manufacturing Council. He has appeared on both BBC radio and television discussing the productivity drive within British industry and the part that management has to play.
His experience and knowledge has been gained in a wide variety of roles which included engineering, projects, management, purchasing and operations management before taking on general management positions.
Stephen Barker
Best Practice Approach To Energy, Cost & Carbon Reduction
It is reported that a systematic approach to energy efficiency can multiply savings by a factor of four compared to a more common 'ad hoc' approach. Exploiting such strategies can offer end users the best financial investment currently available. Despite the extensive advantages offfered by a strategic approach, applicable to all sectors of industry and commerce, only a minority of organisations have so far capitalised on these opportunities. This presentation therefore:
- Explains the benefits of a systematic approach
- Outlines the strategy necessary to implement an effective programme
- Considers how international standards now assist with energy management
- Explains how to overcome barriers to implementation
- Highlights examples of key financial propositions
Stephen Barker
Stephen is currently the Head of Energy Efficiency & Environmental Care for the Siemens Industry Sector UK and leads a team dedicated to the deployment of a ‘best practice’ approach to energy, cost and carbon reduction.
Stephen is a chartered electrical engineer with over 25 years post graduate experience and has worked in Siemens since 1990 in variety of positions including business manager of industrial drives and motors. Stephen is also a former chairman of an IEC standards committee and is the current chairman of the VSD group of the UK industry association Gambica.
In addition, Stephen is also an active member of the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA).
Dave Ellis
Energy Saving Lighting Solutions
Lighting accounts for 19% of the global electricity consumption, however nearly 70% of this is used by lighting for which a more efficient alternative is available. Dave Ellis will present an energised look at the options available to businesses to adopt a more intelligent approach to lighting their estates to significantly lower energy consumption, add visual brand appeal and improve the wellbeing of the workforce.
Dave Ellis
Dave Ellis is the National Sales Manager of OSRAM’s Specification Team bringing with him over 19 years experience in the Sales and Marketing of OSRAM lighting products in the Commercial, Industrial and Domestic lighting sectors.
He is currently responsible for managing a team focusing on the specification of innovative, intelligent OSRAM energy saving and LED lighting products to Lighting Designers, Architects, Installers and End Users.
A popular presenter and trainer at numerous industry events, Dave has also been involved in implementing government environmental legislation, including the WEEE Directive within OSRAM in the UK and Ireland.
OSRAM is part of the Industry sector of Siemens and one of the two leading lighting manufacturers in the world. OSRAM is a high-tech company in the lighting industry with around 66 percent of sales originating from energy efficient products. This global player employs more than 40,000 people worldwide, supplies customers in some 150 countries and has 48 production facilities in 17 countries.
Phil Skipper
E Mobility
A technology revolution or revolutionising the way we think about travel
The electric vehicle is rapidly coming of age. Many of the largest manufacturers will be bringing production cars to market over the coming year and governments across Europe are clearing the barriers to mass acceptance. These vehicles are at the forefront of a technology revolution in terms of battery power, drives and the associated systems required to make electro mobility accessible, usable and attractive to the mass market.
However, providing yet an other option for personal mobility creates the danger that electro mobility will become an additional technology rather than a alternative. If electric vehicles are to provide the benefits in terms of carbon and pollution reduction, the stabilisation and enabling of renewable energy on the grid and the deliverance of a more independent and secure energy policy, they need to be considered as an element within a wider transport agenda rather than as a new technology that re-enforces behaviours around personal rather than public transportation.
Electro mobility will be part of the future transport mosaic which will see a blend of technologies and transport options - making electro mobility a success however, will require the vision to provide travellers with the information and options to make the most appropriate decisions about the journeys they have to make and the technologies that are available to use.
Phil Skipper
Phil Skipper has worked within the international energy sector for over 15 years establishing new infrastructures for liberalised markets and more recently for the mass deployment of smart solutions for metering and the grid. Now leading the Siemens eCar programme for the UK and Ireland as well as Scandinavia, Holland and the Baltic states, Phils experience of the eCar application, the impact on the grid and the drivers for change in terms of customer behaviour and attitudes provides a unique insight into the challenges and benefits of the eCar ecosystem.
Ian Ellis
Green Buildings
Buildings create over 40% of CO2 emissions, therefore maximising energy efficiency in buildings is critical for UK carbon reduction targets.It is also a relatively easy way for organisations to reduce costs. The adoption of best practice techniques together with the implementation of innovative technology can substantially reduce the carbon emissions and operating costs from buildings.
Ian Ellis
Ian is Marketing Manager for the Controls, Products & Systems division of Siemens Building Technologies. Siemens appreciates that energy and carbon saving are high on the agenda for businesses today. We have a range of offerings to allow building owners/occupiers to control, monitor and manage their actual energy usage and compare this to required values. We can assist in designing, specifying and supplying the latest integrated technology for tomorrow’s buildings encompassing such areas as lighting, energy efficiency, heating, ventilation and air conditioning control.
Ian joined the organisation in 1984 and has had various roles in the company including Product Manager and Communications Manager. He is currently President of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA). The BCIA is the Unified Voice of the UK Building Controls Industry promoting the message that building controls are key to saving energy and hence money in buildings.
Dr. Hermann Kremer
Carbon Capture and Storage
Fossil fuels are set to remain a significant part of the generation mix for decades to come. De-carbonizing coal and gas-fired power plants is therefore essential to meeting climate change targets. The presentation looks at both post-combustion capture technology and gasification combined cycles with pre-combustion capture, the status of development and issues for large scale roll-out.
Dr Hermann Kremer, Siemens Energy Sector / New Technologies
Dr. Hermann Kremer is responsible for the Siemens solutions business in the field of Carbon Capture & Storage. Based on his long term experience in different senior management assignments in the chemical processing and power generation industries, Dr. Kremer has a broad knowledge in process development, design and engineering of new processes and plants. After he graduated from the University of Advanced Science in Cologne he studied Energy- and Chemical Engineering at the Technical University Berlin (PhD: thermodynamic modeling of unit operations for synthesis gas treatment).
Dr. Kremer has gained his professional experience starting in the Corporate Engineering of Hoechst AG, department for infrastructure- and industrial power-plant-projects. In the following assignment in the Hoechst AG he took over the responsibility for the operation of a petrochemical production plant with CO2 separation/treatment.
He spent four years in South Korea, acting as a Board Member of Hoechst Korea Ltd.
(R&D, investments, operation of local productions). This assignment was followed by more than 15 years in different senior management functions in Hoechst AG/Siemens AG (process development, engineering & construction of infrastructure and chemical processing plants for projects in the regions Europe, GCC and Asia).
Kevin Worster
Sustainable Cities: Planning for tomorrow today with sustainable infrastructure solutions
As a global player with local reach, Siemens provides technologies and solutions, which support decision makers in cities to design and build a resource efficient infrastructure capable of coping with future challenges.
Kevin Worster, Cities Account Director, Siemens plc
Kevin Worster took up the position of Cities Account Director Siemens plc, in October 2009. With a brief to drive innovation and thought generation, helping to answer the Cities key challenges by leveraging the Siemens portfolio of Industry, Energy and Healthcare. Kevin has worked in a number of management roles during his 13 years with Siemens.
After completion of an engineering apprenticeship within the food and beverage industry, Kevin fulfilled various roles in both project and engineering management. Subsequently he joined a leading electrical wholesaling business and had responsibility for sales of Industrial Control & Automation products.
He then joined Siemens in 1996 where he has held a number of key managerial roles latterly developing and managing a UK wide business in the environmental sector. With a clear understanding of the market sector he delivered the Siemens message to a client base from United Utilities in the water waste water arena to E-on in the power generation market.
Kevin has a passion for performance cars and he also enjoys sport, financial markets, music, technology, socialising, mountain biking and spending time with his family.
Matthew Knight
The Offshore Wind Power Revolution
Britain has the best offshore wind resource in Europe. More than 45 GW of projects are planned representing an investment of over £120 Billion. Building the wind farms and connecting them to the onshore grid presents a whole string of challenges - planning, regulation, financing as well as the practical issues of trying to put electrical equipment in the midst of the sea. This talk will cover some of these technical and non-technical issues, progress to date and the future for offshore electricity grids.
and
Driving the Green Agenda
Who is driving the agenda for reducing emissions and using energy more wisely? Is it technologists, energy generators and retailers, politicians or energy users? Is this a passing phase, or are there already visible trends? There is no indication yet that European countries will use less energy, although consumption per head is not a straightforward measure of economic activity. And the energy content of manufactured imports is not yet taken into account in most national calculations. Could carbon trading become a new mechanism for import protectionism? Siemens reviews the bigger picture and contemplates the real impact of distributed generation and e-vehicles.
Matthew Knight BEng, CEng, MIET
Matthew Knight is Head of Business Development for Siemens Transmission and Distribution Ltd. Matthew led Siemens entry into the market for designing and building offshore grid connections, winning four out of 5 UK Round 2 projects. Previously Matthew was Operations Manager and established a team to design and build onshore grid substations.
Matthew is a member of the DECC Renewables Advisory Board grid group and Renewable UK's offshore grid and offshore strategy groups. He is also Chair of the IET’s Power Systems and Equipment Technical and Professional Network.
Matthew lives in the New Forest with his wife Sharon and their five children.
Simon Corbett
Energy Efficient Financing
A look at how financing can encourage the acquisition of energy efficient equipment and enable the implementation of green projects. The session will Focus on financing solutions which underpin and create support mechanism for investment decisions – it will further examine how finance can accelerate the pace of change with good business planning.
Simon Corbett
Head of Sales at Siemens Commercial Finance UK, responsible for Siemens customer financing. Simon’s career began with bank owned finance companies. As his career progressed, Simon became responsible for several European financing programmes with global equipment manufacturers, developing his expertise in asset finance, leasing and project finance. Now managing a team focussed on Siemens solutions in the Energy, Industry and Healthcare sectors, he uses his experience to assist Siemens customers acquire a vast range of assets and innovative technology. Simon’s passion is to help customers obtain advanced “green” solutions, drive energy efficiency, manage their total cost of ownership and help achieve a positive return on investment.
Stephen Ellison
Energy Efficient Financing
A look at how financing can encourage the acquisition of energy efficient equipment and enable the implementation of green projects. The session will Focus on financing solutions which underpin and create support mechanism for investment decisions – it will further examine how finance can accelerate the pace of change with good business planning.
Stephen Ellison
Stephen Ellison is CEO for Structured Finance within SFS Commercial Finance, Europe and Asia (“COFEA”) with responsibility for supporting Siemens, the COFEA Regions and direct contact to the Banking markets to address larger complex transactions. Steve graduated in Classics at Nottingham University and spent his early years with HM Inspector of Taxes and in accountancy before transitioning into Leasing and Finance. Steve spent 14 years with Barclays latterly in the Large Value Leasing division dealing with Ship, Aircraft and Infrastructure Leasing. From there Steve moved to GE Capital for the next 7 years, latterly in the role of European Managing Director for a part of the Transportation Division. Steve joined Siemens Financial Services in 2003, initially as the UK Risk and Operations Director before assuming his current role heading up COFEA Structured Finance which now has a major focus supporting Project Finance, particularly in the Energy sector.
Steve Barker
IT for Sustainability
Organisational maturity in the challenge to manage carbon - how IT can support the CxO Board though the intelligent use of IT data and decision making platforms. Green IT approaches and solutions - including a view of an innovative approach to using Power over Ethernet across the ICT estate.
Steve Barker
Steven Barker has a background in both the private a public sectors. Steve originally worked in the paper industry and developed his career through production, distribution, sales and marketing and finally in product management and procurement across Europe within the Stora Group. In 1992 he was appointed Head of Paper Procurement for HMSO and progressed through to Director for Northern Ireland and Wales prior to privatisation. On the creation of The Stationery Office (TSO) he was appointed Director with specific responsibility for strategic business development for the devolved administrations in NI and the Welsh Assembly. Returning to the public sector in 1994 in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND, now UKBA) within its IT Directorate as head of the Programme Office and then to lead the Business Management Office during the merger of two IT departments (IMTU and BISTED) leading to the creation of Home Office IT Shared Services. Steven's focus is in three areas: strategic planning, environmental sustainability and shared services in his role with Siemens Information Solutions and Services (SIS).
Prof Dr Christian C Juckenack
Power from Deserts: From Vision to Solution - Siemens Competence and Contribution
Holistic vision: Enough and clean energy from the deserts - Large-scale sustainable energy production and transmission.
Feasible future: Long-term goals and near-term pilot projects - Competence and contribution by Siemens
Main points:
- an import of renewable energy from best potential sites is a crucial need for the ambitious energy-/climate-goals of the EU
- the deserts in North Africa and Middle East are optimal resources for wind- and solar energy, esp. by CSP, concentrated solar power (enables energy storage)
the technologies are ready to realize the Concept "Power from Deserts" (solar and wind power plants, long distance HVDC, ..) - in 2009 under the leadership of the Munich RE relevant industries have jointly started the Dii GmbH, Renewable Energy bridging continents (18 shareholders)
- now we need a rapid development of a political and regulatory framework (e.g. for grid expansion intra-EU and EU-MENA, for energy import and exchange, for feed-in tariffe, etc..)
time schedule: pilot project until 2015
Prof Dr Christian Juckenack, Senior Consultant on Desertpower for Siemens AG
Professor Dr. Juckenack is Senior Consultant on Desertpower for Siemens AG, Renewable Energy Division, based in Nuernberg, Germany Prior to this post, between 2004-2009, Professor Dr. Juceknack was State Secretary, Ministry of Economics and previously within the Ministry of Environment, Federal State Thuringia, Germany. Since 1986 he has held various prestigious professorial posts within Germany, including:
• 2001-2004 Rector, University of Applied Sciences FH Nordhausen, Germany
• since 2000 Professor, University of Applied Sciences FH Nordhausen, Germany
• 1997 -2000 Assistant Professor, University of Stuttgart, Germany
• 1994 - 1997 Own Consultant Office for Environment, Trier, Germany
• 1991 - 1994 Project Manager, Private Environmental Institute, Cologne, Germany
• 1986 - 1991 Scientist and Lecturer, University of Göttingen, Germany
Dr Juckenack received his PhD from the Institute for Geology & Lithosphere Dynamics, University of Göttingen. Researchs at the Universities of Zürich, Münster, Munich, and Bachelor and Master Degrees in Geology, Palaeontology at the Universities of Marburg and Göttingen, Germany
Dr Juckenack is also a member of various leading industry associations:
• Member Technical Engineering Association Brownfields (ITVA, Berlin)
• Member German Association of Geoscientists (BDG, Bonn)
• Member Advisory Board for Environment, Energy (CDU Germany, Berlin)
• Chairman Advisory Board for Economics (CDU Thuringia, Erfurt)
Dr Tony Lewis
Marine Power (Wave and Tidal)
Dr Tony Lewis, Director of the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre University College, Cork
Dr Anthony (Tony) Lewis, Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Tech is Statutory Lecturer in Ocean Engineering and Hydraulics at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in University College Cork and Director of the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre. Dr. Lewis has special competence in ocean energy development, maritime civil engineering, field measurements in the coastal environment, breakwater design, coastal erosion, hydraulic modelling and aquaculture engineering.
Professional Activity
Coordinating Lead Author (CLA) for Ocean Energy chapter in Special Report on Renewable Energy for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This report investigates the mitigation effect of renewable energies and will be published at the end of 2010.
Alternate Delegate for Ireland to the Ocean Energy Implementing Agreement under the auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA), since 2003.
Founding Board Member of the European Ocean Energy Association.
Member of External Advisory Group to European Commission for Energy Research in FP5 programme. (2003-2005)
Proposal Evaluator for European Commission for research and demonstration projects in marine renewable energy and energy systems under FP5 and FP7 programme. (2005, 2007 and 2009)
Proposal Evaluator of ocean energy projects for Belgian Government (2007)
Merit Reviewer MHK projects, Department of Energy, U.S. (2008)
Research Experience
Contracting partner on research contracts from a variety of the European Commission Framework Programmes for nearly 20 years. Most recently under FP7, a contract which he is coordinating, entitled “Components for Ocean Renewable Energy Systems” (CORES). This will run from 2008-2011, is valued at €4.2 million and involves 12 partner organisations.
Currently 6 E.U. Funded research projects in progress together with 15 industry and nationally funded contracts.
Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre
Dr. Lewis is Director of the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre in Cork which was established in 1979 and houses Ireland’s only wave test tank facilities. The largest facility being the Ocean Wave Basin containing 40 wave paddles to simulate real ocean conditions at reduced scale. www.ucc.ie/research/hmrc In 2007 the Minister for Energy, Mr Eamon Ryan, announced a €6.5 million development programme for HMRC. This programme will run from 2008-2011 and will provide new wave tank and other test facilities as well as upgrading the existing research infrastructure. The transfer to the new purpose built facility is expected to be completed in 2012.
The Centre provides support to the maritime engineering industry in Ireland and abroad as well as having a research and development function. In recent times the Centre activity has been focussed on Marine Renewable Energy but there is also an active group working in the Coastal Engineering area. There are a total of around 35 staff at the Centre comprising Senior Research Engineers, Postdoctoral Research Fellows, Research Engineers, Ph.D. and Masters Students, Support and Administrative Staff. A “Development and Evaluation Protocol” has been produced and adopted by the Irish funding agents for ocean energy conversion device maturity assessment. This is now recognised internationally and has been incorporated into the U.S. Department of Energy concepts for Technology Readiness Levels.. As a result of these devleopments, the Centre has been involved in model testing over thirty ocean energy concepts with some of these progressing to full scale deployment – Azores Pilot Plant, Wave Dragon, OE Buoy, WAVEBOB, WAVEPLANE, OCEANLINX, etc.
2010-Oct-10 |