Conversion of wave, tidal and salinity gradient energy are emerging forms of technology for renewable energy supply that gain high interest both in research, industry and politics. Because of the political goals for the harnessing of renewable energy, the research and development activities within this field have been boosted at universities and research companies. Many industrial spin-off companies have been established, which develop and test prototypes. The parallel sessions on ocean energy will present the latest results from research and development work going on at universities and in companies developing technology for harnessing Ocean Energy.

Wave Energy
The conversion of wave energy has many variables connected to it, which makes it difficult to identify obvious candidates for winning designs. The talks on wave energy will focus on design principles and cost drivers, and see these in relation to the current research trends. Do the basic principles of wave-energy conversion give a clear guidance to how wave energy converters should be designed? What is the main cost drivers for wave energy technology in prototypes operated today, and what are expected to be the main cost drivers in matured systems? What are the research trends today, and do these fit with the needs? Talks may include research results on conversion principles, machinery, control principles, materials, moorings, installation, or operation and maintenance.

Tidal Energy
The development of tidal turbines has boosted the last decade. The main concepts are the Horizontal and Vertical Axis Tidal Turbine (HATT and VATT). However, other concepts like for example the Oscillating Hydrofoil and HATT installed in ducts seems to be developed. Today, there is no clear concept winner in the tidal turbine industry, the race has just begun. The turbines are facing high static loads and tough fatigue loads due to turbulence, vertical velocity profile, wave-current interaction and wake flow. In addition, the marine operations for installing and maintaining the turbines are challenging and costly operations. How can research and development help developers make concepts that can be economically viable in the future ?

Target group
Researchers and industry from all Europe and North America will find it interesting to participate in the sessions on ocean energy.

Key-note speakers

• Paul Thackray, Hydropower consultant, UK
• Cees Buismann, Wageningen University, Netherlands (to be confirmed)

Sessions and program
Anoverview of the parallel sessions on ocean energy:

• Sea and river water mixing as a power source
• Tidal and wave energy

Abstract submission
Researchers and PhD candidates are invited to submit abstracts according to the format described in call for abstracts to Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug. Based on the submitted abstract, acceptance will be given for poster or oral presentation. The deadline for submission is 1 March 2010.

Committee

• Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, NTNU
• Debbie Koreman, NTNU
• Jørgen Hals, NTNU
• Odne Burheim, NTNU