Marine energy experts gather in Dublin

What is being billed as "the world's largest conference on ocean Eenergy" has opened in Dublin.

Some 900 delegates from Australia, Europe and the United States were welcomed to Dublin this morning by the Navy’s LE Roisin and the Marine Institute's research vessels Celtic Voyager, and Keary, which were berthed in the River Liffey as the conference opened in the Convention Centre.

Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte invited the delegates to go aboard the Marine Institute's vessels and familiarise themselves with the work they do in support of marine energy research during the three day conference.

Mr Rabbitte also said Ireland was committed to developing its wind and wave resources. He said an updated ocean energy strategy would be published by the end of the year alongside a new Bill to streamline foreshore licensing for developments such as tidal energy farms.

He also said that an informal EU council of ministers meeting focusing on ocean energy would be held early next year while Ireland holds the EU presidency.

The opening session of the conference was also addressed by government ministers from Canada, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Others sessions feature presentations from some of the world’s foremost developers of ocean energy, including Irish company Open Hydro.

A number of delegates are to visit Open Hydro’s tidal turbine design facility and factory at Greencore in Co Louth. They will get to see examples of latest tidal turbines and hear details of the recently announced Open Hydro joint venture with Bord Gáis off Torr Head in Co Antrim.

Visitors will also be invited to see Seagen’s Marine Current Turbine in Strangford Lough, Co Down. It has produced the more energy than any other tidal device in the world.

The conference is being hosted by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in association with the European Ocean Energy Association and developers Ocean Energy Systems.

Over the coming days the conference will explore issues in relation to turbine development, servicing, regulatory frameworks and financing.

It will also be addressed by Dr Eddie O’Connor founder of Mainstream Renewable Power, who also founded Airtricity; John McSweeney head of innovation at the ESB; Seán Kidney of the Climate Bonds initiative and industry specialists such as David Ainsworth of marine current division of Siemens.