Wave and tidal energy is a topic of discussion in The Hague
October 25, 2023
The Hague, Oktober 26, 2023 – This week is all about the Ocean Energy Conference in Amare, The Hague. During this conference, discussions will focus on the latest techniques in the field of wave and tidal energy. A relatively new way of generating energy that is still being developed on many fronts. The European Commission is aiming high with a target of 1 Gigawatt of installed capacity in 2023 and 40 Gigawatt in 2050. The sector has the important advantage that it can supply energy even when the sun shines less and the wind is less strong. This week, European professionals come together to discuss how the sector can grow faster. A large number of European pilot projects have already been carried out, mainly in the United Kingdom and France, but also in The Netherlands.
Striking are floating wind turbines that also have wave technology that can generate energy. Some generators rely on the horizontal or vertical movement of the wave. Some generators combine this movement. Technologies can have a battery or a cable to land or a nearby windmill connected to a power cable so that the power can be used on land. It also examined how offshore wind farms can be used ‘multifunctionally’ by equipping them with floating solar panels, and wave and tidal energy. The possibilities of seaweed farms and the return of the original reefs that have been lost to fishing in recent decades are also taken into account. Various prototypes of wave and tidal generators can be visited for free in front of and in Amare until today and from tomorrow the DMEC tidal turbine will be back in its place, outside, at Hellingweg 11d in The Hague.
Several wave and tidal turbines can be seen in front of and inside Amare The Hague.
“The Hague is very proud that these conversations about the latest developments in this area are taking place in The Hague. In addition to its good geographical position as a ‘City by the Sea’, The Hague is also the location where organisations such as Dutch Marine Energy Center, North Sea Farmers, and companies such as Hygro and Weco have their home base. Companies can also test their innovations on the open sea off the coast of Scheveningen.” says Martin Hulsebosch, New Energy advisor at the municipality of The Hague.
On the first day of the conference, prizes were presented such as Ocean Energy Europe’s Vi Maris award which was won by Tony Lewis, the CFO of Ocean Energy Europe. Tony Lewis has been committed to ‘Ocean Energy’ for more than 40 years and is considered the father of ocean energy.
About Ocean Energy Europe
Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) is the largest network of ocean energy professionals in the world. More than 120 organisations, including Europe’s leading utilities, industrialists, and research institutes, trust OEE to represent the interests of Europe’s ocean energy sector.
Ocean Energy Europe’s mission is to create a strong environment for ocean energy development, improve access to financing, and increase business opportunities for its members. To achieve this, OEE works with the European institutions (Commission, Parliament, Council, EIB, etc.) and national ministries on policy issues affecting the sector. The results are undeniable: over the past four years the profile of the sector has increased significantly and the EU has become a key driver of the sector.
During the Ocean Energy Europe conference, startups and scale-ups, NGOs, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders from over 40 countries are present, including the largest global players such as:
- CorPower Ocean: Swedish developer of the first large-scale commercial wave energy project in Portugal – Dutch project coordination, composite machine & anchor;
- Orbital Marine: Scottish pioneer in tidal energy with the largest floating tidal energy plant in the world – Dutch coatings and parts;
- SIMEC Atlantis Energy (SEA): Scottish operator of the largest tidal current project in the world – Dutch sealing of the turbines.