IDCORE students at the University of Exeter DMaC facility. (Photo taken prior to lockdown and social distancing)

Innovative Renewable Energy project secures double award success

An innovative project involving the University of Exeter, which is seeking to develop the next generation of offshore renewable energy leads, secured two awards at a recent ceremony.

The UKRI funded InDustrial CDT in Offshore Renewable Energy (IDCORE) – of which Exeter is a key partner alongside the Universities of Edinburgh and Strathclyde, and the Scottish Association of Marine Sciences – celebrated a double success in the Scottish Green Energy Awards 2020.

The project secured both the Contribution to Skills award, and the Young and Inspiring Award, at the recent ‘virtual’ ceremony. The winners were selected by a panel of 12 judges from a shortlist of 46 entries.

The IDCORE doctoral centre, funded by the EPSRC, is designed to train world-class, industrially-focused researchers who will pioneer new approaches to integrating offshore renewable energy initiatives to meet the UK’s future ambitious energy targets.

These include the development of new offshore energy technologies, new materials and science for components, sub-systems and devices in the offshore environment, and the wider energy policy and regulation.

Professor Lars Johanning, IDCORE Co-Director and from the University of Exeter’s Renewable Energy department, based at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall, said: “To meet the UK Governments Net Zero target it is essential to train the next generation of renewable energy leads; the IDCORE doctoral centre is implementing this in collaboration with industry. We are proud that this was recognised through the Scottish Green energy Award.”

The Scottish Green Energy Awards, organised by Scottish Renewables and headline-sponsored by EDF Renewables, is an annual celebration which honours the people, organisations and communities going above and beyond to shape renewable energy’s future.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “In a year which has been so very challenging, the renewable energy sector has played a critical role in ensuring that Scotland’s lights have been kept on throughout the global pandemic. The diverse range of projects shortlisted at this year’s awards really do highlight why Scotland is a world leader in renewable energy. As we continue the fight against climate change we’re going to need everyone and everything we’ve got, and the phenomenal skillset and innovation of those recognised tonight absolutely shows we have what it takes.”

Date: 7 December 2020