Unlocking the potential of our marine and renewable energy resources through the power of research and innovation

The demand for energy is growing relentlessly with the pressures of population growth and improved living standards. With a sea to land ratio of over 10:1, Ireland is uniquely placed to address this challenge through our marine resource.

MaREI’s research capabilities cover a wide range of cross-cutting topics such as:

• Device design and testing• Energy storage• Offshore operations support • Coastal and marine management• Marine robotics• Observation and monitoring• Energy systems modelling• Green gas.

The research team comprises internationally recognised experts in these fields from University College Cork, NUI Galway, University of Limerick, Maynooth University, University College Dublin, and Cork Institute of Technology, who have complementary research backgrounds key to providing the underpinning research necessary for Ireland to achieve commercially successful marine and renewable energy industries.

In addition to undertaking fundamental research, the MaREI research programme is closely aligned to the requirements of both our industry partners and the marine and renewable energy sectors as a whole, providing innovative solutions that reduce the time to market, and reduce costs to a competitive level.

A primary focus for MaREI is the development of strategic long-term relationships with industry partners achieved by providing them with access to world-class researchers and test-bed infrastructure, and subsequent co-production of knowledge. This industry-centred approach provides a focal point to enable over 45 companies to participate in the development of a vertically-integrated supply chain, and to promote and enhance cross-fertilisation of ideas between industry and academia in the marine and renewable energy sectors.

As well as working closely with industry, MaREI researchers also engage with policy makers, legislators, NGOs and the wider community on marine and renewable energy issues as stakeholder engagement is key to addressing the challenges faced by society.

MaREI is a marine and renewable energy research, development and innovation centre supported by Science Foundation Ireland. We combine the expertise of a wide range of research groups and industry partners, with the shared mission of solving the main scientific, technical and socio-economic challenges across the marine and renewable energy spaces.

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RESEARCH PROGRAMME

The MaREI research programme is based on a hub and spoke model, divided into both ‘Platform’ and ‘Spoke’ research areas. ‘Platform’ research represents the core research capabilities of the Centre, comprising fundamental or ‘blue-skies’ projects that underpin all other Centre activities.

In turn, the skills developed in ‘Platform’ research enable the Centre to undertake more applied or industry-targeted ‘Spoke’ projects. In this regard, the research programme addresses the needs of both the companies involved, and the marine and renewable sectors as a whole. Both ‘Platform’ and ‘Spoke’ research projects in MaREI are underpinned by the comprehensive cross- cutting infrastructure and ICT capabilities of the Centre.

Prof. Toal is Vice Director of MaREI, Director of the Mobile & Marine Robotics Research Centre and Associate Professor at the University of Limerick. His research interests include marine robotics for challenging offshore environments, inspection & intervention robotics, remote control and monitoring, acoustic sensors, navigation systems, sensor integration.

Prof. Dan Toal Vice Director

WHO WE ARE

Prof. Murphy is the Interim Director of MaREI, Vice Director of the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at University College Cork and Director of Bioenergy and Biofuels research in the ERI. He has previously served as Degree Director of Energy Engineering at UCC. He leads the International Energy Agency Task on Energy from Biogas. He leads a research team of about 12 researchers and has published extensively in green gas and biofuels.

Prof. Jerry Murphy Director

Prof. Dias is a professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics and the Earth Institute at University College Dublin where he works on wave energy research as leader of an innovative, world-class research group in fluid mechanics. Working at the interface of mathematics and engineering, his research interests include extreme wave events and tsunamis.

Prof. Frederic Dias Principal Investigator

Dr. Lightbody is Senior Lecturer in Control Engineering at University College Cork. His current research focuses on the application of intelligent control techniques to key application areas including; renewable energy, wind and wave power, micro-grids, smart grids, biomedical applications, advanced motor control and power systems control.

Dr. Gordon Lightbody Principal Investigator

Prof. Lewis is Professor Emeritus at University College Cork and has been a leading international figure in marine renewable energy research for the past 4 decades. He was responsible for UCC’s involvement in marine renewable energy systems at an early stage, and has been fundamental in the establishment of the Lir National Ocean Test Facility.

Prof. Tony Lewis Principal Investigator

Brian Ó Gallachóir is Professor of Energy Policy and Modelling in the Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork. His research focus is on bottom up techno-economic modelling of sectoral energy demand, integrated electricity and gas modelling and energy systems optimisation. Brian is elected Chair of the Executive Committee of the International Energy Agency Energy Technology Systems Analysis Programme (IEA-ETSAP).

Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir Principal Investigator

Prof. Ringwood is Professor of Electronic Engineering and Director of the Centre for Ocean Energy Research at Maynooth University. His research interests include control systems, mathematical modelling and forecasting and current application interests include ocean energy, energy forecasting and biomedical systems.

Prof. John Ringwood Principal Investigator

Prof. Hartnett is Vice Director of MaREI, a Professor in Civil Engineering and Deputy Director of the Ryan Institute at National University of Ireland Galway. He has been developing physical and numerical modelling systems for ocean and marine processes for over 25 years. His research interests include marine renewable energy, offshore engineering, radionuclide transport, multi-scale modelling, nutrient cycling, storm surges and urban flooding.

Prof. Mike Hartnett Vice Director

Dr. McKeogh is Vice Director of MaREI and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at University College Cork. His energy research activities focus on integrated renewable energy systems involving wind energy, hydropower, bio-methane, storage technologies, and energy business modelling with strong industry collaboration. He has experience in the design and operation of RE power stations and has managed a large number of Megawatt-scale EU-funded RTD projects.

Dr. Eamon McKeogh Vice Director

MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable EnergyEnvironmental Research Institute Beaufort Building University College Cork, IMERC Campus, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, Ireland

Twitter: @MaREIcentreFacebook: MaREIcentreLinkedIn: Marine Renewable Energy Ireland

Tel: +353 (0)21 486 4300 Email: marei@ucc.ie Web: www.marei.ie