Ocean energy will have a key role to play in the energy transition. Innovative solutions leveraging on space technologies are supporting the further development of this young but important industry
While presenting a huge potential, the technology overall for ocean energy is still at an early stage of development. Tidal barrage and stream, wave energy, salinity and temperature gradient are the main sources of ocean energy. Wave energy and tidal stream converters are the most mature and applicable across different geographies. Global total tidal stream saw an increase of 1.7 MW of new installations in 2022, accumulating to a total of 41.2 MW since 2010. On the other hand, wave energy increased by 165kW in 2022, 24.9 MW of cumulative installations since 2010.
Europe has held a key competitive advantage in ocean energy throughout 20 years of investment in R&D. The European Union (EU) countries in particular and the private sector have invested more than € 4 billion over the last ten years in research and pilot projects on ocean energy. This investment has led to a lot of competition in the European market, with companies trying to impose their marine turbine or wave energy converter concepts for mass production as well as cost reduction.
This report highlights the key areas where space-based applications and technologies can play an important role to overcome challenges such as effective and efficient location scouting, bankability estimations, environmental policy decision making, monitoring and maintence and system planning and transmission activities.
Find out more on the added value of space and ESA’s support programmes in this latest mini report.
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