24-05-07
Scottish researchers awarded £1m marine renewables package
Environmental
Research Institute, based at North Highland College UHI,
and project partner Heriot-Watt University.
The strategic research development grant from the Scottish Funding Council was announced yesterday. The grant will enable four new research appointments, including two at the ERI in Thurso.
The funding and associated developments will underpin the multi-disciplinary, strategic research programme in marine renewable energy being undertaken by Marine Renewable Developments Scotland (MRedS), which links government bodies, public and private stakeholder interests, and the renewable and petroleum industry sectors.
ERI director Dr Stuart Gibb said: “The Scottish Executive wants 40 per cent of Scotland’s electricity to be generated from renewable resources by 2020. It is widely acknowledged that marine energy may hold the key to achieving these targets and the dynamic conditions of the Pentland Firth presents unrivalled opportunities for research and development.
“This programme contributes to the aspiration of establishing Scotland at the forefront of research, development and certification of marine energy devices. It secures a unique trans-Pentland Firth partnership between Heriot-Watt University, the European Marine Energy Centre and UHI, providing a focal point for the development of research capacity and expertise in marine renewable energy for Scotland.”
Heriot-Watt’s Professor Jon Side added: “The
funding of four new key research posts will make a big difference to
our work. It
will allow us to bring together existing areas of academic and industrial
expertise and resources, and use that critical mass as a platform for
future marine renewables research projects and activities.”
