INTRODUCTION
Sea test sites are being developed in several countries around the world, beeing the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, in the UK, the most advanced one. These sites allow developers to test components, concepts or full scale devices in an open sea environment.
The development of open sea testing facilities is seen as a valuable policy measure. Such infrastructures encourages ocean energy development by enabling practical experience of installation, operation, maintenance and decommissioning activities for full-scale prototypes and farms, as well as for developing services and streamlining procedures.
A new initiative is under development – OceanACT - promoted by 5 Portuguese entities: WavEC, +ATLANTIC, CEIIA, Fórum Oceano and INESC TEC. OceanACT expects to be the managing entity of the Aguçadoura test site and play an important role in the promotion of the Viana do Castelo pilot zone.
In particular, the Mission of OceanACT is to:
- Promote the existing testing infrastructures in the country;
- Create conditions for the attraction of national and international technology developers (for TRL 6-9);
- Collaborate with already existing European demonstration tests;
- Boost the qualification of the National Industry and generate highly qualified employment;
- Promote collaboration between OceanACT and other National R&D and Industrial entities.
OceanACT aims to also enhance the coexistence of different types of demonstration projects. Synergies created between simultaneous demonstration projects of renewable energy, aquaculture, ocean communication and surveillance, ocean cleaning, and offshore robotics, will generate unique opportunities for the development of science and technological advancements
NATIONAL STRATEGY
In Portugal, the Ministry of the Sea is responsible for defining policies encouraging the development of new activities in the sea that maximize the use of its resources, generating economic value in a sustainable model. In this sense, the Government programme has a medium- and long-term strategy for the use of the resources of the sea, in which renewable marine energy (wave and offshore wind) is of special relevance.
OPEN SEA TEST SITES IN PORTUGAL
POLICIES