Partners & funding

EVOLVE is a transnational partnership between research institutions, technology developers and industry organisations dedicated to building an evidence base for marine renewable energy as part of a diverse energy system. This collaborative project has received support under the framework of the OCEANERA-NET COFUND project, with funding provided by the following national/regional funding organisations: Scottish Enterprise, Swedish Energy Agency and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.

Partners

Aquatera

Operating globally from a hub in Orkney, off the north coast of Scotland, Aquatera provides environmental expertise and operational support for offshore, coastal and land-based activities. Our clients range from multinational corporations and national governments to individuals and community groups and we operate in more than 30 countries. We take a multi-disciplinary approach to projects, supporting clients from planning right through to delivery and decommissioning. Our flexible business model, which draws on a wide network of associates and delivery partners, enables us to respond to clients’ needs whoever and wherever they are.

Orbital Marine Power

Orbital Marine Power Ltd is an innovative Scottish engineering company, headquartered in Orkney, and focused on the development of a tidal energy turbine technology capable of producing a dramatic reduction in the cost of energy from tidal currents. The Orbital technology has been under continuous engineering development, including rigorous testing of scaled systems in both tank conditions and open ocean environments since the company was founded in 2002. The company currently employs 32 staff with offices in Orkney and Edinburgh.

CorPower Ocean

CorPower Ocean brings a new class of high efficiency Wave Energy Converters (WECs) enabling robust and cost-effective harvesting of electricity from ocean waves. The design principle is inspired by the pumping principles of the human heart and offers five times more energy per ton of device compared to previously known technologies, allowing a large amount of energy to be harvested using a small and low-cost device. The CorPower WEC’s unique ability to become transparent to incoming waves provides survivability for the WEC in storm conditions. CorPower’s is headquartered in Sweden, with offices in Portugal, Norway and Scotland. The company has received broad backing across Europe, with funders including EIT InnoEnergy, the European Commission, the Swedish Energy Agency, AICEP Global(Norte2020), Wave Energy Scotland, Midroc New Technology, ALMI Invest Greentech, SEB Greentech VC and additional private investors.

Rise

RISE is Sweden’s research institute and innovation partner. Through our international collaboration programmes with industry, academia and the public sector, we ensure the competitiveness of the Swedish business community on an international level and contribute to a sustainable society. Our 2,800 employees engage in and support all types of innovation processes. RISE is an independent, State-owned research institute, which offers unique expertise and over 100 testbeds and demonstration environments for future-proof technologies, products and services.

WavEC

WavEC Offshore Renewables is a private non-profit association dedicated to consultancy and I&D activities in the field of marine renewable energy, offshore aquaculture, and special engineering solutions.

University of Edinburgh

The Policy and Innovation Research Group is part of the Institute for Energy Systems (IES) which is one of the six research institutes within the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. The University of Edinburgh is one of the largest and most successful universities in the UK with an international reputation as a centre of academic excellence. The University has been at the forefront of renewable and marine energy conversion research for 45 years. The group combines expertise on technologies, energy system organisations and institutions, and the wider policy and regulatory context for energy. It applies a range of quantitative and qualitative research tools and methods including innovation systems, energy system modelling and scenarios, and transitions management. This leads to preparation of strategy and investment roadmaps for organisations’ funding, public and private investment and government departments.

Funders

OCEANERA-NET Cofund

The Ocean Energy ERA-NET Cofund (OCEANERA-NET COFUND) is an initiative of eight national and regional government agencies from six European countries, which has received funding from the European Union under the Horizon 2020 Programme for Research and Innovation. The participating countries / regions are: the Basque Country, Brittany, Ireland, Pays de la Loire, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Sweden.

Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland’s national economic development agency. We’re committed to growing the Scottish economy for the benefit of all, helping create more quality jobs and a brighter future for every region. To deliver a significant, lasting effect on the Scottish economy, we work with partners in the public and private sectors to find and exploit the best opportunities.

Swedish Energy Agency

The Swedish Energy Agency works on behalf of the Swedish Government, in the Ministry of Infrastructures area of responsibility, leading society’s transition to a sustainable energy system. We contribute with facts, knowledge, and analysis of supply and use of energy in the society, as well as work towards security of energy supply. Research on new and renewable energy technologies, smart grids, as well as vehicles and transport fuels of the future receives funding from us. We also support business development that allows commercialisation of energy related innovations, and ensure that promising cleantech solutions can be exported. Official energy statistics, and the management of instruments such as the Electricity Certificate System and the EU Emission Trading System, are our responsibility. Furthermore, we participate in international collaboration with the aim of attaining Swedish energy and climate objectives, and develop and disseminate knowledge for a more efficient energy use to households, industry, and the public sector.

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) is Portugal’s national public agency supporting research in science, technology and innovation, in all areas of knowledge. Guarded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, the FCT began its activities in August 1997, succeeding the National Scientific and Technological Investigation Board (JNICT). Since March 1, 2012, FCT succeeds UMIC – Agency for the Knowledge Society, IP in the responsibility for coordinating public policies for the Information Society in Portugal. On October 1, 2013, FCT assumed the attributions and competences of the Foundation for National Scientific Computing (FCCN).