Exploring development of the “next generation” tidal energy technology is the theme of a new project initiated by NUI Galway (NUIG).
The university says the tidal energy project is part of its “Global Challenges” programme, a targeted research initiative to tackle six of the globe’s most pressing issues.
The project will focus on new technology and tidal turbine blades, site modelling, and the assessment of climate change impact and extreme events on same.
It will include an economic appraisal of tidal energy and the investigation of societal attitudes; and stakeholder engagement to better understand the needs and concerns of tidal energy developers, local authorities and the coastal communities.
It will also research systems to assess the interactions of tidal energy infrastructure with wildlife.
Five PhD researchers will be recruited for the project.
Globally, the tidal energy resource is estimated at more than 1200 terawatts per annum - a unit of power equal to one trillion watts.
The world uses 17.7 terawatts a year, according to the NUIG researchers.
The project will be led by Prof Jamie Goggins, professor of civil engineering, MaREI Centre, Ryan Institute and School of Engineering at NUIG.
He said the project “will engage with multiple stakeholders - including the people living in the coastal communities - to unlock the potential benefits for them in our drive to decarbonise the economy”.
“The just transition is crucial in the work towards decarbonisation. So too is the importance placed on biodiversity and how we enhance the health and resilience of our ocean and coastal communities,”he said.
“ Our aim in the tidal energy project is to create a blueprint to simultaneously achieve these ambitions,”Prof Goggins added.
The NUI Galway Global Challenges fund is part of the university’s new Research and Innovation Strategy 2021-26.
It has six areas of focus - antimicrobial resistance, decarbonisation, democracy, food security, human-centred data, and ocean and coastal health.
Further information is available here