Massachusetts Renewable Energy Center Ocean Energy Workforce Development Summit The European/Irish Experience 4

th

May 2012

Cathy O’Connor First Secretary ICT, Energy and Science Embassy of Ireland

Towards European industrial leadership in Ocean Energy in 2020

• •

A driver of job creation and economic growth

Potentially 26,000 direct EU jobs from ocean energy in 2020; potentially 314,000 direct EU jobs from ocean energy in 2050.

The creation of new opportunities in European coastal communities. • • • A global market for equipment manufacturing and technology development.

A route to achieving the EU’s renewable energy targets

The potential to satisfy 15% of EU energy demand in 2050. Avoiding 136 MT/MWh of CO2 emissions in 2050. • • •

Maximizing the value and security of renewable energy portfolios

Ocean energy can diversify and enhance the security of renewable electricity portfolios incorporating large-scale wind energy. Ocean energy can maximize the value from developments already in place for the offshore wind industry: infrastructure, supply chain, grid connections and understanding of environmental impacts. •

Alignment between EU and the IEA’s International Vision for Ocean Energy

A common goal to increase international collaboration to accelerate the development and deployment of ocean energy systems. The opportunity for further cooperation to deliver economic growth through ocean energy development.

UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry, EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger, Ireland’s Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte and Scotland’s Energy Minister Fergus Ewing at Energy Council in November

Ireland’s Economic Study

•

€9 billion economic benefit by 2020

There is currently sound quantitative evidence that by 2030 a fully developed island of Ireland ocean energy sector providing a home market and feeding a global market for renewable energy could produce a total Net Present Value (NPV) of around €9 billion and many thousands of jobs to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Irish economies.

•

Over 1,400 jobs by 2020 reaching 50,000 by 2030

It is possible that an island of Ireland wave energy industry meeting the 500MW 2020 target could produce at least 1,431 additional FTE jobs and an NPV of €0.25bn, increasing to 17,000-52,000 FTE jobs and an NPV of between €4-10bn by 2030. This is dependent upon achieving sufficient technology learning rates - most likely encouraged and maintained initially through a form of capital and/or operational subsidy.

Preparing the Irish Workforce

Government Agencies Pioneered the Vision • Marine Institute and SEAI (Sustainable energy Authority of Ireland) • University College Cork HMRC/Tony Lewis www.hmrc.ucc.ie

• Charles Parson Initiative CPI • Higher Education Authority • IMERC

www.imerc.ie

IMERC Vision

“To become a research and commercial cluster of world standing, by realising Ireland’s potential in the global, maritime and energy markets of tomorrow”.

IMERC Unique Selling Points

•

University College Cork

Beaufort Laboratory , Worlds largest marine renewable energy research centre – Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre – Coastal & Marine Resources Centre – Sustainable Energy Research Group •

Irish Naval Service

“

to be the smartest, most innovative, responsive naval service provider in the world by 2016

” •

Cork Institute of Technology

National Maritime College of Ireland – domain experts includes the world’s largest suite of bridge simulators •

mart Ocean Energy Cluster

ICT and Oceants night.

– ask PH for slide from last

IMERC Fact File

Human capital

•1,100 INS personnel, 60 researchers, 50 domain experts, 20 faculty, 20 PhD students

Infra structure

•Wave test tanks, bridge, flood, fire & engine simulators, naval dockyard, jetties, PTO labs

Enablers Industry

•29 industry R&D collaborators from June 10 -June 11 •€46million in research awards and 175 journal publications in the past 5 years •MERC MoA March 2010

MARINE ENERGY SHIPPING, LOGISTICS, TRANSPORT MARITIME SECURITY & SAFETY MARINE RECREATION

Ocean Engineering Maritime Operations Ecosystem Governance Enabling Maritime Technologies Balancing fundamental with applied and industry led research MERC focus – Innovation & Commercialisation

IMERC Campus

Beaufort Laboratory Naval Base NMCI

Conclusion