Abstract
The IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on Ocean Energy Systems is one of the collaborative R&D Programmes established within the IEA, and since its establishment in 2001, the OES participants have been conducting a variety of joint projects. During 2016, the Executive evaluated the achievements of its present 5-year term that will end up in February 2017 and prepared a new Strategic Plan for its 4th 5-year mandate (2017 – 2022).
The End of Term Report and new Strategic Plan were submitted to the IEA and presented by the Chairman in the Renewable Energy Working Party meeting in Beijing, China (17 -18 October 2016).
2016 was marked by the entry of three new members: India, France and the European Commission. On the other hand, Australia, after being inactive for 2 years, withdrew the OES, but with a strong hope to soon re-join and to make efforts to identify the appropriate entity to represent the Government in the OES.
At the end of 2016, OES has 25 members, which provide a broad international base of information, sharing experience and knowledge and further a diversified representation of interests: members are from governmental departments, utilities, universities and research organizations, energy agencies and industry associations. This is one of the benefits of joining OES: participants gain an international perspective on ocean energy issues, opportunities and present challenges.
The OES international co-operation facilitates:
- Securing access to advanced R&D teams in the participating countries
- Developing a harmonized set of measures and testing protocols for the testing of prototypes
- Reducing national costs by collaborating internationally
- Creating valuable international contacts between government, industry and science
- Information sharing and networking
This Executive Summary provides a brief summary of the 2016 OES Annual Report. It synthesizes the main achievements in the OES collaborative activities and presents relevant policies and projects by each OES member country. As in previous years, this Annual Report includes a contribution by acknowledged experts from testing centres. Representatives from 5 open sea test centres (EMEC/UK, FORCE/Canada, Oregon/USA, Nagasaki Marine Industry Cluster Promotion Association/Japan and BIMEP/ Spain) have been invited to respond to a few questions related with the role of these test centres, difficulties and opportunities.