The University of Dundee in Scotland has announced a new $3.27 Marine Renewables Test Centre meant to help boost the country's offshore ambitions. According to the university, the center will become a facility for the development, design and testing of marine renewable construction materials and prototype foundations.
‘Scotland is well placed to deliver offshore wind and marine renewables and meet its ambitious targets for 2020, but there are still some significant challenges to be addressed,’ says Professor Rod Jones, head of the new center. "Although considerable progress has been made in developing and manufacturing turbines, the main challenges now lie in the design, commissioning and deployment of key structural components such as concrete foundations for offshore wind farms."
The center is being supported by about $1.4 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund, which has also provided funds to support the Offshore Renewables Institute, a major partnership between the Universities of Dundee, Aberdeen and Robert Gordon.
"Together, these awards represent a major boost for Scotland's offshore renewable energy ambitions," says Professor Stephen Decent, vice principal and head of the College of Art, Science and Engineering at the University of Dundee.
