Selkie

Ireland and Wales have a large wave and tidal resource, which has the potential to provide significant low carbon energy. The development of a successful MRE sector will lead to the production of clean electricity, job creation, and technology export to a worldwide market.   However, barriers to progression to commercialisation include, the lack of funding for R&D and pilot demonstration at sea and an absence of common procedures, methods, and components within the sector.

Therefore, the aims of the project are:

1. Establish a cross-border network of Ocean Energy SMEs and supply chain companies;
2. Conduct industry-academic collaborative R&D projects
3. Transfer R&D knowledge to the MRE sector SME stakeholders, thereby advancing the technology sector as a whole;
4. Assist Irish and Welsh SMEs to progress along the pathway to commercialisation.

Selkie will achieve these aims by developing shared multi-use engineering tools, templates, standards, and models, which can be used across the sector in both Wales and Ireland.

Selkie will test and validate the technology tools on two pilot demonstration technologies: one wave and one tidal technology (chosen via open tender). The pilot testing will advance the knowledge for Wales and Ireland SMEs in general, using a structured development path for testing and improvement of ocean energy devices in terms of their reliability, survivability, operability, stability, and commercial viability.

WP1 – Project Coordination, Standardisation, and Methodology – UCC is the lead partner

Including – Risk plan, Data management plan, Gender Protocols, Advisory board, and all reports

WP2 – Dissemination and Communication – Marine Energy Wales ( PCF)

Website creation, Social Media, Journal articles, Strategies to mobilise and promote Selkie knowledge base, devise training methods on the Selkie tools for the SMEs, organize conferences, workshops, school visits etc.

WP3 – Knowledge Transfer – Menter Mon and UCC

Prepare engagement material for the 150 SMEs required on the Project. Organize individual consultations, engagement events, and short technical support meetings with supported SMEs.

WP4 – GIS Techno – Economic Model and Pilot application – UCC

New GIS – TE  tool being created for use in Ireland and Wales sector – Wave and Tidal energy. All tools will be tested and verified and open source after the project.

WP5 – Foundation and Mooring Model and pilot application – GDG Ltd

Design, create, test, validate and pilot a model for use in the IW MRE sector

WP6  – Physical and Numerical Modelling and Pilot Application – UCC

Development and application of modelling approach for wave/tidal arrays. Physical testing in the Lir test tank.

WP7 – Sensor optimization , data analysis and pilot application – Swansea University

Selecting, modifying, and researching existing and new sensors. Testing the sensors in the open sea.

WP8 – Installation, Operations, Maintenance and logistics Models and Pilot applications – UCC and SU

Design and create new tools for O&M, logistics, and installation of wave and tidal energy devices. Test and validate the models.

WP9 – Sustainability – UCC

Create a sustainability committee and plan to form a broad post-project road map for Ireland and Wales. The Selkie aims of the acceleration to commercialization of the business opportunities in Ireland Wales will be aligned with the smart specialisation strategy going forward.