FUTURE OCEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES (FOREST)

FOREST will drive groundbreaking advancements in subsea components and digital technologies for ocean energy systems, setting new global standards for durability, reliability, and efficiency in the sector. By addressing the most pressing challenges identified from 34 different device trials over the last 20 years at EMEC, the FOREST project will deliver transformative innovations. These include a 33kV super dynamic cable and spar connection hub specifically designed by Sub Connected for ocean energy arrays, an advanced cable quick connector system from Apollo that streamlines deployment and maintenance, and a cutting-edge optical measurement platform from Indeximate, incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning from CENER and Intelligent Plant to measure cable and device health and optimise array performance. These technologies will be rigorously validated at EMEC’s internationally recognised wave and tidal test sites, leveraging €40M of established infrastructure and its world-leading wave and tidal developer companies. By meeting the highest international standards supported by Bureau Veritas, FOREST will generate invaluable knowledge on how to operate ocean energy devices, their availability, maintainability, reliability, survivability and sustainability and this new knowledge will be driven into the sector by the Wave Energy Centre.The outputs from FOREST will directly contribute to the 1GW Ocean Energy target outlined in the EU’s Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy and the objectives in the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan by addressing key technical, environmental, and economic barriers which will enhance the bankability and insurability of ocean energy systems. This will drive the global deployment of ocean energy farms, contributing to Europe’s leadership in clean energy innovation and supporting the transition to a net-zero economy.