Bluespring, the lead partner in the ambitious €8.5 million ENCORE project, proudly announces the successful wrap-up of the project aimed at "ENergising our Coasts with Offshore Renewable Energy". Over the course of three years, twelve partners collaborated to propel four innovative offshore solutions, setting new standards and creating a lasting impact in the sector through education. As the project has reached its formal closure, we reflect on the tangible successes, commendable achievements, and the role of Bluespring in steering this journey.
Main Achievements
The ENCORE project, funded by the INTERREG 2SEAS programme and support from provinces Zeeland and Zuid-Holland, commenced in early 2020, navigating through several challenges due to the global pandemic. A significant highlight was the application of international standards developed under the International Electro-technical Committee (IEC) to reduce risks and validate the performance of four pilot projects.
Four demo projects
The tangible outputs of the project are exemplified by the achievements of the four technology developers:
1. Water2Energy successfully installed a 100kW rated ducted vertical axis tidal turbine in a sluice gate in the port of Flushing delivering power to the grid.
2. Symphony Wave Power conducted lab testing in Sines, Portugal of their submerged wave energy convertor solution, and further completed the Power Take-Off assembly and testing in the Netherlands at the facilities of partner and investor MultiMetaal in Den Helder.
3. Oceans of Energy deployed a 200 kW pilot off the coast of Scheveningen at the Offshore Test Site, with extensive environmental and performance monitoring.
4. EEL-Energy built and tested a 30kW prototype of their undulating flap off the coast of Brest, France.
Deftiq and Bluespring jointly developed eight E-learning courses, solidifying their commitment to knowledge dissemination. More than 500 users from 40 countries spent hundreds of hours on the education platform, achieving an impressive average score of 83%. This educational initiative, a first of its kind on such a scale, contributes to building a new skilled workforce in the offshore renewable energy (ORE) sector.
Outstanding Achievements:
The project's success is underscored by the growth of the ENCORE partners, securing €80 million in public and private financing by the project's end. The technology developers developed 16 leads for follow-up projects, showcasing the commercial viability of their innovations.
Role of Observers
The contributions of observers, including the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Ocean Energy Europe, Deja Blue Consulting Limited, Renewable Risk Advisors, Navingo, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, National University of Costa Rica, IMDC, Parkwind, INORE and others, significantly enriched the project. Their involvement ranged from providing technical specifications to offering route-to-market support, feedback on the courses, and access to valuable networks.
Durability of project outputs
To ensure the durability of project outputs, each partner committed to ongoing developments:
Technology Developers continued testing, deployments, and expansion of their respective technologies. E.g. EEL-Energy deployed a device in the Rhone near Lyon.
Certification Bodies: defining rules and conditions for accreditation under the certification system. E.g. LR and EMEC got Accepted under the IECRE system.
Test Facilities Univesity of Ghent and EMEC gained international visibility, generating new business from technology developers.
Educational Partners Deftiq and the University of Ghent: continue to integrate e-learning courses into regular curricula, ensuring broader accessibility.
Bluespring, Artelia, and DMEC: built on their networks, reinforcing collaborations, and initiating new projects.
Continuation and Future Collaborations
The collaborative spirit fostered during ENCORE continues beyond the project's closure. Bluespring has laid the groundwork for future projects in education, technology derisking, and coloration between test facilities. The approved ERASMUS+ project, FLORES, marks the beginning of new applications and translations of ENCORE courses into Spanish, extending their reach to new audiences.
In conclusion, the ENCORE project is a testament to successful collaboration, technological innovation, and knowledge dissemination. Bluespring and its partners have advanced offshore renewable energy solutions and paved the way for a sustainable and resilient future in the marine energy sector. As we bid farewell to ENCORE, the echoes of its achievements will continue to resonate across borders and inspire future endeavors Offshore, that's For Sure!
Peter Scheijgrond
CEO Bluespring
ENCORE partnership in Le Havre in June 2022
For more information about the project, visit the project website: www.energisingcoasts.eu