EquiMar: The Development of Protocols for the Equitable Evaluation of Marine Energy Systems

This paper describes a major collaborative project funded through the European Union which seeks to accelerate the adoption of ocean energy systems through providing a rational suite of protocols that will: (i) help to match technology and scale of deployment to site specific considerations; (ii) define acceptable methodologies to evaluate the environmental consequence of deployment; (iii) develop techniques for equitable comparison of the economic potential; for the deployment of small to medium arrays. EquiMar involves 23 European partners, including scientists, engineers, ecologists and developers. Funded through the European Commission 7^th Framework Programme [1] (grant agreement 213380), this €5.5 million project aims to produce a suite of protocols that will enable a broad range of stakeholders to judge the variety of technologies in wave and tidal energy on a level playing field. The protocols will reflect the entire development cycle of a marine device: resource assessment and site selection; fundamental engineering design; scaling up and deployment; environmental impact and economic assessment. The project has now been running for 12 months. This paper reviews the intended work over the three year project, but focuses on the development of “high level” documents that will describe the aims and remit of the individual protocols. The high level protocols were conceived to meet two fundamental requirements. EquiMar is an ambitious project in terms of both scope and number of collaborators. There is a need to maintain consistency and clarity as each protocol/ guideline is developed. The high level protocols will serve as a template for the detailed specifications, clarifying content, identifying gaps and links within the overall work and finally will help to maintain focus on the final goals. Externally the high level documents will provide a mechanism for engagement of the many stakeholders. Early feedback on the direction and coverage of the protocols is fundamental to achieving, where practica, a consensus from the diverse ocean energy community. Based on the practices of an international Certifying Agency (DNV) it is intended that the protocols will be fit for guidance and incorporation into proposed international standards. This paper aims to increase dissemination and provoke comment from the International marine community in order that that the final documents will be fit for purpose by reflecting the considered opinion of as wide a body of relevant contributors as is possible, and act as a catalyst to help deliver the potential for marine renewable energy on the international stage.