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The Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) of
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has deployed a weather buoy
off the coast of North Mayo to monitor wave and weather conditions.
The buoy, which is 10km off Annagh Head on
the Atlantic coast of the Mullet Peninsula, will transmit
information collected via satellite link to the OEDU
at the civic offices in Belmullet. This information is the
first of its kind available in Ireland and will facilitate
the development of a full scale wave energy test site off
the coast of North Mayo.
SEI’s OEDU
is working to accelerate the deployment of ocean energy in
Ireland and, as more full scale wave energy devices are designed
and developed, there is an increasing demand for a suitable
open ocean test facility.
As part of this development, SEI will host an information
day for interested members of the local community at the civic
offices in Belmullet on Thursday, 25th March. There
will be an exhibition area with full details of the proposed
wave energy test site and an opportunity to meet with members
of SEI’s OEDU team to explain the plans and opportunities
for Belmullet and Ireland as a whole.
Commenting on the announcement, Chief Executive of SEI, Professor
Owen Lewis said - “Ireland has the potential to become a world
leader in supplying wave energy technologies internationally
and in generating electricity from our abundant waves. The
establishment of a wave energy test site is a vital step to
reach this ambition.
"We must harness the potential of ocean energy off our
extended coastline - not only to reduce carbon dioxide emissions,
but also to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels.”
Professor Lewis continued - “With its open Atlantic wave
climate and with deep water close to the coast, North Mayo
is an ideal location for the harnessing of our wave energy
potential. Investment in this area will be a key driver in
future economic growth and job creation.
"There is a real opportunity for North Mayo to lead
the way in this area internationally and the OEDU team is
looking forward to bringing details of this project to the
local community at our information day and exhibition at the
end of March."
The wave energy buoys are capable of measuring the shape
and height of every wave crossing a specified point. Using
the data collected from this project, the OEDU will provide
detailed assessment of the wave conditions off Mayo.
The Marine Institute, which has been involved with SEI in
this project from the beginning, will make the data from the
buoys available in forthcoming months on their website
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