Ann: Half Year Accounts , page-13

The weather wasn't much good in February either with a couple of cyclones, particularly Cyclone Giovanni - it was "news", but i like this web page better!

http://www.mikeandrachelworldcruise.com/?p=389

10m would have tested the system - pity it wasn't in the water to be honest!


Good news in the broader picture regarding France. They've finally announced "Marine Energy" as one of their renewable energy priorities - together with a 130mill euro budget (over 10 years) with 35 mill starting (it's been on the cards for years). The plan is to integrate all the research institutions and companies and test sites in a co-ordinated way. It doesn't say it in the article, but the Reunion Island test site is "integrated" into it as well. And the current head os from EDF - quite handy.

Now all we need is that bloody CETO 4 in the water. A lot of what's going on in the "pipeline" must be dependent on it's successful deployment/test.

But really, we deserve better than silence from CWE.

Heres the France info:

A RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR MARINE ENERGY
March 15, 2012 by Jean-Francois Preveraud
>> Keywords: Research, Sustainability, Renewable Energies

With the creation of France Marine Energy, one of the winners of the call for projects Institutes of Excellence'' on'' low-carbon energy, France adopts a research institute dedicated to marine energy.

Energy France Marines together manufacturers, research institutes and universities, regional councils in coastal areas, in close cooperation aimed to position France as a world leader in marine renewable energy. This are currently 58 structures, including 9 major groups among the 35 private organizations, who will work together on this new adventure that constitute industrial marine renewables. But the willingness is to unite all the French actors of the sector beyond the first 58 structures involved.

Energy France Marines and integrates studies of marine energy include:


offshore wind installed;

Floating offshore wind;

tidal currents (tidal and wave motor);

the wave energy;

Ocean thermal energy.


Five test sites at sea are already identified and will be made available to holders of technologies for testing machines in real conditions.

Address all aspects of marine energy

In its 15 thematic research and development around this new industry, Energy France Marines deal with issues of technological and economic development, as well as those relating to the preservation of the marine environment and quality of consultation with stakeholders, to make all these components of assets in global competition.

Energy France Marines will employ 70 researchers, engineers and technicians at three locations (Brest, Nantes, Toulon). Its budget of 133.3 M € in ten years, receives € 34.3 million contributed by the Investments for the Future, 38 M € by local authorities, € 61 million by the private partners and parastatals.

The Board of Marine Energies France is composed of equal members from 16 public and private. His first be chaired by an industrialist, EDF has agreed to take responsibility.

The creation of this research institute will allow significant development of the vast potential energy represented by the marine energy and thus contribute towards achieving the French commitment of 23% renewables by 2020.

Jean-Francois Preveraud