News - Briefing for Businesses
University of Exeter press release
Could the sea around Devon and Cornwall help the UK achieve its target of 15% of power from renewable energy by 2020? Will the South West lead the UK in developing technologies to harness wave and tidal power? What does this mean for businesses in the region? The University of Exeter is inviting South West companies to an event on its Tremough Campus, Penryn, to find out.
On 9 September, Briefing for Businesses: Marine Renewable Energy in the South West will bring together up to 80 people from businesses from across the region. Focusing on the development issues for marine energy, the event will brief companies about this emerging industry and the business opportunities it will present. Staff from the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, partners in the PRIMaRE research project, will present key issues from their research and explain how the Institute research capacity can help companies to understand and develop their potential. Presentations will also be given by Chairman of the Board of PRIMaRE Professor Julian Wolfram, Paul Jordan of Ocean Power Technology Ltd. and Stephen Wyatt (Carbon Trust). There will also be the opportunity to meet with staff to discuss business development opportunities and contact with the Universities.
Professor George Smith, Scottish and Southern Energy Associate Professor in renewable energy on the University of Exeter's Cornwall Campus said: "This is a chance for companies to find out about the opportunities resulting from emerging marine renewable technologies. Working jointly with the University of Plymouth and local industry we are finding out more about what marine energy has to offer and are keen to share our findings with the local business community. As well as creating debate and discussion, we hope the day will pave the way for us to work with more of the region's companies."
In parallel with Wave Hub, PRIMaRE is a joint venture between the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth to explore the feasibility of harnessing wave power and other marine energy resources. It combines the existing research excellence of Exeter in renewable energy and environmental technologies with Plymouth's expertise in marine science and coastal engineering.
Any local businesses interested in attending this event should contact Maite Bell: maite.bell@exeter.ac.uk / 01326 371881
The £100 million Tremough Campus is a Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative of which the University of Exeter and University College Falmouth are two of the founding partners. It is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council. Set in 70 acres of countryside, but close to the waterside towns of Penryn and Falmouth, the campus offers a lively student community. The University of Exeter now offers degrees in Biology, Modern Celtic and Cornish Studies, English, Geology, Geography, History, Law, Mining Engineering, Politics and Renewable Energy on the Tremough Campus, which has expanded rapidly as part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative.