Marine Renewable Energy conference comes to Penryn Campus

The Partnership for Research In Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE) is holding its second Annual Research Conference at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus from June 16-17.

The conference is designed to bring together key business and academic experts in the sector to collaborate on new ways to develop and test marine renewable energy technology in the South West.

The free event will feature a wide range of presentations from industry experts, focusing on the broad themes of technology, environment and policy. Alongside the formal conference programme, there will be a linked offshore floating wind workshop at the end of the conference, organised by the South West Marine Energy Park.

Professor Lars Johanning, from the University of Exeter’s  Renewable Energy Department, said: “This fantastic event provides a great opportunity for everyone involved with PRIMaRE to discuss and deliberate new and exciting ways in which to develop the marine renewable energy sector.

“We are proud to be holding this event at our Penryn Campus, and are sure that the conference will provide some fascinating insights into the latest sector developments, and also opportunities to collaborate in the future.”

PRIMaRE is a ‘network of excellence’ comprising of a consortium of marine renewable energy experts across higher education, research and industry.

Leading experts from the University of Exeter, joined with Plymouth, Southampton, Bristol and Bath, along with the Marine Biological Association and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, to work together on research projects across the spectrum of marine renewables.

Completing the line-up is the South West Marine Energy Park and the Wave Hub facility off the north coast of Cornwall, who will act as conduits between the research community and industry.

The partnership will help ensure the sustained growth of marine renewable research and development in the South, similar to the success that consortia in Scotland and Wales have enjoyed.

PRIMaRE was originally launched in 2007 as a peninsula-focused research collaboration between Plymouth, Exeter and Wave Hub. But following the signing of a seven-year memorandum of understanding, the group has welcomed the Universities of Southampton, Bristol and Bath, as well as the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Plymouth-based Marine Biological Association. In addition to its membership, it has also expanded its research focus to include off-shore wind power.

The relaunch of PRIMaRE was confirmed at its first annual conference at which more than 100 members of academia and the industry heard from experts and keynote speakers.