From data to innovation: Copernicus Marine and ocean energy
Over the past year, the collaboration between Ocean Energy Europe and Mercator Ocean International has showcased the transformative role of Copernicus Marine Service, Europe’s earth observation program, in advancing the ocean energy sector. A Collaborative Effort to Drive Renewable Energy Growth In 2023, Ocean Energy Europe and Mercator Ocean International joined forces to promote the […] The post From data to innovation: Copernicus Marine and ocean energy appeared first on Ocean Energy Europe.
Over the past year, the collaboration between Ocean Energy Europe and Mercator Ocean International has showcased the transformative role of Copernicus Marine Service, Europe’s earth observation program, in advancing the ocean energy sector.
A Collaborative Effort to Drive Renewable Energy Growth
In 2023, Ocean Energy Europe and Mercator Ocean International joined forces to promote the use of Copernicus Marine Service data within the ocean energy sector. The collaboration aimed to bridge the gap between data providers and the industry, highlighting the practical applications of free, high-resolution ocean data in renewable energy development. Through five compelling use cases and an engaging webinar, this partnership has demonstrated how detailed marine data can support cutting-edge energy projects, foster sustainability, and inform policy decisions.
As Europe strives toward its climate and energy goals, including the EU Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy target of 1 GW of ocean energy by the early 2030s, Copernicus Marine Service offers a vital resource. By providing detailed information on ocean conditions such as currents, wave height, and salinity, this service supports decision-making at every stage of project development – from site selection to operations and maintenance.
Showcasing Success: Five Real-World Use Cases
A key milestone of the collaboration was the identification and promotion of five use cases, each illustrating how Copernicus Marine Service data drives innovation and efficiency in ocean energy projects:
1. CorPower Ocean: Identifying global wave energy potential & projecting future energy systems
Using Copernicus Marine Service data, CorPower Ocean identifies global wave energy potential and optimises operations for its pilot projects. By analysing wave height and period, they project power generation and improve maintenance strategies, ensuring cost-effective deployments.
“Copernicus Marine Service data has been invaluable in identifying wave energy potential around the globe. With this data, we’ve been able to project energy outputs, optimise operations, and support the development of sustainable wave energy systems.” – CorPower Ocean
Mocean Energy leverages Copernicus Marine Service data to create heatmaps and performance analyses for their wave energy converters. These insights inform site selection and operational efficiency, enabling them to tackle the challenges of harsh marine environments.
“Copernicus Marine Service provides us with the reliable data we need to optimise site selection and performance analysis for wave energy. With high-resolution insights, we’re creating tools to tackle the challenges of producing clean energy in the toughest marine environments.” – Mocean Energy
3. MESPAC: Innovative Solutions for Offshore Energy: MESPAC’s AI-Powered Data Enhancement
Combining satellite-derived data with artificial intelligence, MESPAC developed advanced tools to refine metocean data for offshore wind and tidal energy projects. This integration supports efficient operations and promotes sustainable energy solutions.
“By combining Copernicus Marine Service data with artificial intelligence, we’ve created a powerful tool to deliver high-resolution metocean insights for offshore energy. This integration not only accelerates site selection and time-to-installation but also improves operational efficiency and enhances safety and reliability, which are critical for advancing renewable energy projects.” – MESPAC
4. IMDC: The iMED model supporting Ocean Energy in the Mediterranean
IMDC’s high-resolution model of the Mediterranean Sea used Copernicus data to analyse local ocean dynamics. This tool supports renewable energy design, climate change monitoring, and marine conservation, aligning with the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
“The Copernicus Marine Service data is an essential foundation for the iMED model, allowing us to capture the intricate dynamics of the Mediterranean Sea with unparalleled accuracy. This data enables us to support offshore renewable energy, protect marine ecosystems, and enhance maritime safety – all while addressing the challenges posed by climate change.” – IMDC
5. Minesto: Harnessing predictable tidal energy in the Faroe Islands
Minesto uses Copernicus Marine Service data to optimise the development of their tidal kite pilot farm. By identifying the best deployment sites and understanding local tidal conditions, Minesto supports the Faroe Islands’ transition to a zero-emissions electricity grid.
“Copernicus Marine Service data is a cornerstone for developing sites for our tidal farms worldwide. By providing detailed insights into ocean currents, tidal patterns and other oceanographic data, it helps us identify the best deployment sites, optimise operations, and bring predictable tidal energy to the grid. This is vital for supporting the journey to a zero-emissions future.” – Minesto
These examples illustrate the diversity of applications and the tangible benefits of using Copernicus Marine Service data, from energy system optimisation to environmental protection.
A Broader Impact Across the Ocean Energy Sector
While the five use cases showcase specific successes, they represent just a fraction of the potential applications for Copernicus Marine Service data. Thanks to ongoing promotion efforts, many other ocean energy companies have started using Copernicus Marine Service data for their projects. According to latest information, over 50% of OEE membership is currently using it. This level of penetration is very high, showing the success of the past collaboration programmes. Several of these companies have even expressed interest in becoming featured use cases, underscoring the growing recognition of the service’s value.
The ripple effect of this collaboration extends beyond individual companies. By demonstrating how accessible, reliable data can drive progress, the initiative has strengthened the case for including ocean energy as a cornerstone of Europe’s renewable energy future.
Engaging the Industry: A Webinar for Knowledge Sharing
To further promote the use of Copernicus Marine Service data, the collaboration hosted a webinar that brought together stakeholders from across the ocean energy sector. The event presented three of the use cases and provided a platform for knowledge exchange, helping potential users understand how to integrate marine data into their projects.
Attendees praised the webinar for its practical insights and inspiring examples. Industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers alike gained a deeper appreciation for the role of Copernicus Marine Service in supporting sustainable energy development. The event also fostered connections among stakeholders, paving the way for future collaborations. You can watch the recording here.
Advancing Renewable Energy and EU Policy Goals
The success of this collaboration highlights the critical role of high-resolution data in achieving Europe’s energy and climate objectives. By enabling smarter site selection, reducing operational costs, and improving energy system efficiency, Copernicus Marine Service data enables an accelerated deployment of ocean energy, contributing directly to the EU’s Green Deal and notably the Renewable Energy Directive objectives.
Moreover, the use cases and webinar have provided policymakers with concrete examples of how data-driven innovation can support the energy transition. This knowledge will be essential as Europe scales up its renewable energy capacity and diversifies its energy supply by integrating sources such as ocean energy into a reliable and sustainable grid.
Learn more about Copernicus Marine Service and its applications: https://marine.copernicus.eu/
The post From data to innovation: Copernicus Marine and ocean energy appeared first on Ocean Energy Europe.
What's Your Reaction?
