1. Marine Energy: the next big thing in energy

Marine Energy: the next big thing in energy!

Europe is the frontrunner in marine energy technology. These technologies are good for the environment, good for the security of energy system, and good for the economy.

Accelerated transformation of our energy systems is vital. The ocean brings powerful potential for supporting this transition. Marine renewables could therefore become the largest source of clean energy on the planet.

Apart from being predictable and reliable, studies show that marine energy alone could meet the global energy demand. In order to reach the energy transition goals, the world needs to work towards unlocking the potential of marine energy and shift it from a research and development stage to a commercial stage. The challenge is to lower the costs, increase production and deployment to achieve scale effects.

To accelerate marine energy solutions, the Marine Energy Alliance unites international regional expertise and capabilities of leading organisations with a track record in marine energy development. The main objective of the Marine Energy Alliance is to progress the combined technical and commercial maturity level of small and medium-sized enterprises in North West Europe developing Marine Energy Concepts (TRL 3-4), and to reduce the risk of failure in the subsequent demonstration phase.

By sharing the potential of the marine energy ecosystem to incubators and their networks, energy companies and corporations, MEA unlocks new markets. The MEA partnership also fosters cross market collaboration between marine energy developers and key players in the fields of manufacturing, installation & maintenance, engineering & design and other related sectors.

MEA supports 41 SMEs and sets up events, workshops and pitching moments in order to bridge maritime and offshore sectors with marine energy developers and facilitate collaborations. The support of MEA extends beyond the delivery of free services and is aligned with other initiatives to optimize synergies. All activities and stakeholders now come together in the new Marine Energy Hub, based in Scheveningen.

As a project partner in MEA, the media company Navingo promotes marine energy as part of its strategy to connect the offshore energy and maritime world for sustainable solutions.

This publication serves as an invitation for cross market collaboration and to show how marine energy can be of added value for the offshore energy sector.