Important progress in IHCantabria and BiMEP’s MAR+ project: driving innovation in marine renewable energy

The presentations were led by Raúl Guanche, Head of the Offshore Engineering and Marine Energy Group at IHCantabria, together with Yago Torre-Enciso from BiMEP, and included the active participation of experts such as Laura Zubiate, Jon Lekube and Endika Aldaiturriaga from the Basque Energy Agency (EVE). This exchange of ideas has contributed to the significant progress of the work carried out to date.

Outstanding contributions:

• Meteo-Ocean Conditions for Design: Melisa Menéndez, Adrián Acevedo and Stefano Susini from the Marine Climate and Climate Change Group, in collaboration with the Oceanography, Estuaries and Water Quality Group, have made significant progress in the development of certified meteo-ocean conditions that meet key requirements for the test site accreditation process.
• Innovative methodology for the wave resource: Eva Romano and Antonio Tomás from the Ports and Coastal Infrastructures Group presented significant results from the application of an innovative wave resource modelling and forecasting methodology at the Mutriku plant. This methodology will allow Mutriku to become a benchmark for OWC turbine testing.
• Digital twin of the wave power plant: Álvaro Rodríguez and Cristina Casal from the Offshore Engineering and Marine Energies Group presented the first results of the development of the digital twin of the Mutriku wave power plant. These advances lay the groundwork for addressing the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic challenges associated with OWC columns. 

MAR+ project: A major commitment to innovation and the road to global positioning

Launched in December 2022, the MAR+ project proposes to develop accredited field and laboratory testing methodologies, establishing both centres as leaders in testing to the most rigorous standards in the field of offshore wind and wave energy for the inspection, testing and validation of new floating concepts. This initiative will place IHCantabria and BiMEP among the elite of test centres, providing an integrated offer for the development of innovative technologies in the field of marine renewable energy.

History of collaboration:

Since 2014, BiMEP and IHCantabria have strategically collaborated on projects such as TRL+, EuropeWave and TurboWave, working to advance, validate and commercialise innovative scientific-technical products in the field of deepwater marine energy. This continued collaboration demonstrates their shared commitment to marine renewable energy.

About IHCantabria and BiMEP:

IHCantabria‘s mission is to promote scientific excellence and its transfer with a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, to drive innovation that contributes to accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the creation of a just, inclusive, responsible and resilient society.

BiMEP which has been operational since June 2015, is a testing infrastructure for prototype offshore marine energy collectors, supported by the Basque Energy Agency (EVE) and the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE).

With the continued development of the MAR+ project, BiMEP and IHCantabria aim to consolidate their position as a benchmark in the inspection, testing and characterisation of marine energy converters.