Why the EU supports ocean energy research and innovation
Ocean energy is abundant and renewable. It can play an important role in the energy mix as it is very predictable, contributing substantial value to the energy system. The main forms of ocean energy are waves, tides, marine currents, salinity gradient and temperature gradient.
Under the right conditions, ocean energy could contribute around 10% of EU power demand by 2050.
The technologies to capture ocean energy are at different stages of development in Europe.
Challenges
Over the past ten years, tidal stream and wave devices - on different scales - have been tested in European waters. However, only a few examples can be found today of ocean energy systems in operation.
Considerable progress is needed - in research, development, demonstration and validation of the technology - for this sector to realise its potential contribution to energy supply, industrial leadership, economic growth and mitigation of climate change.
In particular, progress is needed in design and validation of ocean energy devices, balance of plant (supporting components and auxiliary systems), logistics and marine operations, integration in the energy system, and modelling tools.
Knowledge about the potential impacts of devices on the environment also needs to improve.
What the EU is doing
The EU has supported ocean energy research and development for many years through funding projects. Their focus has been on demonstrating the reliability of ocean technologies and their capacity to survive in aggressive sea conditions, thereby reducing the risk for project developers and investors.
EU support also aims to make ocean energy cost competitive with other technologies and demonstrate its market potential.
Research and Innovation to boost the development of offshore renewable energy (Factsheet)
Funding opportunities
Horizon Europe
Calls for proposal on energy related themes in Horizon Europe and information on the work programme.
NER 300 programme
Funding for innovative low-carbon technology research with focus on environmentally safe Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and innovative renewable energy technologies
European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)
The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is the successor organisation of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA).
European structural and investment funds (ESIF)
Energy research related calls may be found in these funds
LIFE
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.
Prize for renewable energy islands
Prize rewarding achievements in local renewable energy production for electricity, heating, cooling and transport on islands.
Projects and results
Research project database (CORDIS)
The Commission's primary portal for EU-funded research projects and their results
Project success stories
Stories of particularly successful EU-funded projects
Horizon Magazine
Latest news, interviews and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU.
Horizon Results Platform
Platform where framework programme participants present their results for you to search, contact their owners, and form partnerships.
Results packs on energy
Thematic collections of innovative EU-funded research results in the energy field
Horizon dashboard
Access to real-time programme data with the ability to filter by country, region, theme and more
Collaboration and jobs
Find project partners
Find partners for open EU calls for proposal
European partnerships
Collaborate in energy research and innovation public-private partnerships
International cooperation
International cooperation between the EU and global stakeholders in energy
Jobs (EURAXESS)
Researcher jobs in related fields
Scientific publications, tools and databases
Strategic Energy Technologies Information System (SETIS)
SET-Plan implementation progress reports giving data by priority area, country and energy source
Scientific publications
Scientific energy research publications published by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Scientific research tools and databases
The Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) compiles databases and develops software and modelling tools. You can access energy research related ones here
EU publications portal
Online library of EU energy research publications
EU Open Data Portal
Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions - all data free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes
OpenAIRE
You can access all scientific publications from Horizon 2020 via OpenAIRE