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Oceans represent an enormous untapped resource of clean and renewable energy. It is estimated that 100 GW of marine energy capacity can be deployed in Europe by 2050, meeting 10% of Europe’s current electricity needs.
Ocean energy has the potential to play a significant role in the future energy system, whilst contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions, mitigating climate change and stimulating economic growth.
A variety of technologies that can harvest the vast amount of energy stored in oceans and seas have been deployed or are in development. These are grouped into different resource types: wave energy converters, tidal range and tidal stream devices, ocean thermal energy converters, salinity gradient technologies, and offshore floating solar.
This environment presents new cross-sectoral cooperation opportunities for the marine energy and the space industry to come up with new commercial solutions. For the purpose of this study, ESA Space Solutions has established a cooperation with the Dutch Marine Energy Centre, who will provide feedback to the study results and contribute with inputs towards potential follow-on demonstration projects.
Dutch Marine Energy Centre (DMEC) is an international consultancy organisation in the marine energy sector. Their belief is that the enormous amount of energy stored in our oceans, seas and rivers will be a crucial driver to realise our global energy transition and foster sustainable growth. By accelerating innovation, mobilising capital and shaping policies, they create impactful energy solutions.