IEC TC 114 Marine Energy Conversion Systems
Another emerging renewable as a piece of the global energy mix and the puzzle for energy security.
Marine energy technologies of various types have been developed across the world for decades, with different countries or regions paying particular attention to the natural marine resources they have locally.
The primary focus is on Marine Energy Converters (MECs), to include the wide range of use cases and sizes of MECs using wave, tidal, ocean current, river current, and the wide range of outputs such as electrical or mechanical energy. Other conversion methods, systems and products are included such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).
Regulations, government policies and competition against other cheaper energy sources may impact support for marine energy. But in many cases it should be seen to be complementary to other renewable energies, possibly generating energy when others are not available, e.g. wave energy is greater during the winter months, or in a more predictable way due to e.g. tidal stream.
Local and international targets are being set for marine energy technology deployments across the world, feeding towards a possible 300 GW wave and tidal stream installed capacity by 2050 [ref: Ocean Energy and Net Zero – Roadmap to develop 300 GW of ocean energy by 2050].
As an active and Full Member of TC 114, the BEC members contribute to standards development and the creation of Operational Documents (ODs) that supplement the “Rules of Procedure” and are used within certification testing.
The development of the IECRE Conformity Assessment System for renewable energies (wind, solar PV and marine) entitled “IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for use in Renewable Energy Applications” is proceeding and giving rise to growing demand for published Technical Specifications and, eventually, standards.
Source of the picture: https://www.ugent.be/offshore/...
Since the technology requirements are reliant on the natural resources local to a region, international collaboration together with local support for development is paramount and is resulting in European partnership supported by key funding and partners.
Wave energy research and development is continuing to address a range of engineering and technology challenges with efforts focused on refining system and component designs and testing initiatives that yield cost reductions and increased operational reliability. The BEC kindly invites the Belgian Marine Energy Converter community to participate in TC 114 activities, supporting the promising roll-out of marine energy conversion technologies in Belgium and beyond.