South West England’s ambition to be a global centre for harnessing energy from the sea has received a major boost with the announcement of a £10.3 million investment in marine energy research.
The Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE), set up two years ago by the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth with funding from the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency), will use the cash to support its team of world-class academics and researchers, buy new equipment and collaborate with business.
The bulk of the investment, £5.3 million, has come from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme in Cornwall (£4.2m) and the ERDF Competiveness Programme (£1.1m) in the rest of the South West.
The South West RDA is contributing £4.3 million with a further £200,000 from the University of Plymouth and £466,000 from the University of Exeter.
The funding will support PRIMaRE’s 15 world-class academic staff, 60 researchers and a dedicated technology transfer team that works with businesses to support high quality job creation across the South West.
There will be substantial investment in new equipment including wave and tidal measuring devices, wave making facilities, subsea electrical equipment, collision avoidance and monitoring equipment and research into the environmental impact and benefits of marine renewable energy.
PRIMaRE will support and complement the South West RDA’s pioneering Wave Hub project, which will create the world’s largest wave energy farm 10 miles of the Cornish coast and is on course to be built next year.
Stephen Peacock, Enterprise and Innovation Director at the South West RDA, which plans to invest around £70 million in low carbon activities by 2012, said: “PRIMaRE and Wave Hub are central planks in the RDA’s drive towards a low carbon economy in South West England. We want our region to be one of the best places in the world to build a low carbon business and a global leader in the development of environmental and renewable energy technologies.”
Nigel Howells, Head of Competiveness in the South West, said: “Climate change presents many challenges but there are also great opportunities for new low carbon goods, services and energy production. It is only through investment in top quality scientific research and knowledge transfer to businesses that we will successfully tap these new markets. This ERDF Competiveness and Convergence investment will stimulate the creation of a whole new industry and related business opportunities.”
Professor Wendy Purcell, University of Plymouth Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor said: “This new funding recognises the very substantial expertise in marine energy, research, development and innovation now present in the South West and provides additional support for engaging business with world-class research for the benefit of our region and the wider environment.
“In partnership with the University of Exeter, we will generate important new marine knowledge to inform the emerging renewable energy sector, positioning the region at the forefront of marine science and technology expertise.”
- Local businesses are today (Thursday 2 July) viewing the South West Mooring Test Facility (SWMTF) buoy, at an event at Falmouth’s Maritime Museum. Developed by the University of Exeter’s PRIMaRE team, the buoy has been designed with unique features so it can obtain very detailed data to show how moored structures respond to changes in wind, wave, current and tide. Using this information, developers will be able to model and test mooring designs and components for their marine energy devices as they convert wave movement into energy.
Editors’ notes:
Photography: show’s the South West Mooring Test Facility (SWMTF) buoy, developed by the University of Exeter’s PRIMaRE team, recently being deployed near Falmouth.
PRIMaRE is a virtual institute with staff based at the University of Plymouth and at the Tremough campus near Falmouth, part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative, where the University of Exeter is a partner.
The South West RDA initially invested £1.4m in PRIMaRE in 2007 to allow for the recruitment of academic staff. The RDA’s total investment will be £7.3m over three years, including today’s announcement.
The £10.3 million investment package announced today is made up as follows:
ERDF Convergence programme investment -- £4,200,328
ERDF Competiveness programme investment -- £1,145,000
South West RDA match funding investment -- £4,318,503
University of Plymouth investment -- £199,720
University of Exeter investment -- £466,014
Total: £10,329,565
Competitiveness
The South West ERDF Competitiveness Programme is worth around Euro250 million to the South West, made up of 50% European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 50% match funding from the UK government.
Convergence
The ERDF Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is worth around Euro610 million made up of 75% ERDF with the balance coming from UK match funding.
South West RDA
The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable economy, investing to unlock the region’s business potential. It is helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic recovery. For more information see www.southwestrda.org.uk
Other News
1. £10m boost for South West marine energy research Link to news article -- £10m boost for South West marine energy research South West England’s ambition to be a global centre for harnessing energy from the sea has received a major boost with the announcement of a £10.3 million investment in marine energy research.
2. Spirit of the Sea Maritime Festival 09 Looks Set for Success Link to news article -- Spirit of the Sea Maritime Festival 09 Looks Set for Success The second Spirit of the Sea Maritime Festival in Dorset takes place this year between 4th -- 12th July and promises to showcase an even bigger range of maritime-related events .
3. Big expansion of Arts Higher Education in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Link to news article -- Big expansion of Arts Higher Education in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly A £20 million expansion project that will significantly boost the capacity of University College Falmouth has been approved for more than £12 million of ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme investment.
Addtional information
For more information contact:
ERDF Convergence: Clare Morgan, 07973 813647, cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
ERDF Competiveness: Leander Clarke, 0117-906 4511, lclarke@Brayleino.co.uk
PRIMaRE: University of Plymouth Press Office on 01752 588003
South West RDA: Jason Clark, 01208-77900, jason.clark@dca-pr.co.uk
Contact:
Jason Clark
Tel: 01208-77900
Email: jason.clark@dca-pr.co.uk
Related links and further reading
Related Video
Notes to editors
Other News
1. £10m boost for South West marine energy research Link to news article -- £10m boost for South West marine energy research South West England’s ambition to be a global centre for harnessing energy from the sea has received a major boost with the announcement of a £10.3 million investment in marine energy research.
2. Spirit of the Sea Maritime Festival 09 Looks Set for Success Link to news article -- Spirit of the Sea Maritime Festival 09 Looks Set for Success The second Spirit of the Sea Maritime Festival in Dorset takes place this year between 4th -- 12th July and promises to showcase an even bigger range of maritime-related events .
3. Big expansion of Arts Higher Education in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Link to news article -- Big expansion of Arts Higher Education in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly A £20 million expansion project that will significantly boost the capacity of University College Falmouth has been approved for more than £12 million of ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme investment.
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