Guidelines in the use of Met Ocean Data

The UK has committed to challenging targets for production of energy from renewable sources. In order to reach these targets it is expected that an increasing emphasis will be placed on production from sites located in offshore environments.

Presently wind energy has been the main focus of marine renewable energy, however, in time, wave and tidal energy will also be viable technologies which can be used to generate power. These wave and tidal projects will face many of the same challenges as offshore wind developments, but will also deliberately select sites that offer more energetic conditions. Design, construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of these offshore projects present challenges to the industry which are yet to be fully tested.

ABPmer is the lead contractor in a project aimed to identify and draw together ‘best practice’ in the use of Met Ocean data for all marine renewables projects and develop a new guidance document for the industry. CIRIA will publish the document in March 2007 with the project being funded by the Crown Estate, E.On UK, Scottish & Southern Energy and DONG Energy. Other members of the project team include SeaRoc UK Ltd and the Met Office.

For further information contact:
Bill Cooper
bcooper@abpmer.co.uk