A new research centre at University College Cork is set to put Ireland at the forefront of research into renewable energy. The Marine Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI) SFI Research Centre will conduct world-leading research on all aspects of the marine renewable energy from marine robotics and materials to endure ocean conditions, to offshore wind, wave and marine energy devices as well as technologies to deliver power to the grid for electricity supply at home and abroad.
The centre will receive funding of €19 million from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) with a further €10.5 million from 45 industry partners including Bord Gas Energy, ESB Energy International, Intel, Siemens, DePuy, many other global market leaders and indigenous SMEs in the area of energy, marine technology, software and hardware. Academic partners include lead partner UCC along with University College Dublin, Cork IT, University of Limerick, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, Marine Institute and Teagasc.
MaREI will directly support 77 jobs and has the potential to support the creation of significant employment in the long-term through spin-out companies and intellectual property in the field of marine renewable technology and marine energy materials, devices and solutions for industry.
At the launch of the centre last Friday, Minister for Research & Innovation Sean Sherlock said: “By making Ireland an international focal point for the marine renewable industry, MaREI will help create solutions for the marine energy industry to meet national and international sustainable energy demands, and ensure that jobs created in this sector benefit the national economy.”
Prof Tony Lewis, MaREI interim director and director of Beaufort Research UCC, said: “Ireland is one of the best locations in terms of marine renewable energy resources. This Centre will develop the science and technology solutions required by industry to develop commercial wave, tidal and floating wind energy devices through cutting edge research.”
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