New Technologies
The government is looking to select key technology families to support the next stage of renewables with marine high on its agenda, alongside offshore wind and electric vehicles. Here’s where some of the new technologies are being developed and Dymola simulation and modelling is helping develop the next generation of products and technologies.
Marine
Marine is still an emerging technology, and the government has put forward measures to make the critical move from research and development to commercialisation: Measures to support marine include:
- A Marine Action Plan, set to be delivered by the end of the year, that will consider the barriers to marine deployment and seek to remove them;
- £10 million investment in UK marine energy infrastructure including the NaREC test centre;
- Doubling in support for the Wave Hub project in Cornwall;
- A £22 million Marine Renewables Proving Fund.The £50 million Marine Renewables Deployment Fund will be retained for devices reaching demonstration stage in 2011-2014.
Severn
The Severn project itself is currently undergoing a two year feasibility study, which will be followed by a consultation on the scheme which is expected in 2010. The government is hoping that two unproven technologies – tidal reefs and tidal fences – will still be able to make a contribution to the project.
Offshore wind
The government wants to encourage the next generation of offshore wind turbines, which are expected to be much larger than their predecessors, possibly reaching ratings of 10MW. DECC is already running a £10 million competitive call for offshore wind demonstration projects, and government has earmarked £120 million to support a “step change” in offshore wind.At the same time, the Energy Technologies Institute is testing new offshore wind turbines that will be suitable for deep-water deployment, and could be ready by late-Round Three.
Geothermal power
The government said in the Strategy that it would commit up to £6 million to explore the potential for deep geothermal power in the UK.
Electric vehicles
Plans to encourage use of electric vehicles are outlined in the Strategy, with the aim of helping the UK reach its target of 10% of transport coming from renewable sources. Take-up plans include an incentive scheme that will offer motorists up to £5,000 to buy electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles and £20 million to fund electric vehicle charging points across the UK.
Advanced biofuels
Simultaneously, the government is looking to support advanced biofuels with a £6 million fund administered by the Carbon Trust, and an industry-funded a biofuels demonstration plant in England.
Aerospace
