MARINE ENGINEERING AQUACULTURE SECTOR

We are dedicated to a greener future. In aquaculture, we are collaboratively developing a clean energy system specifically for this industry. We are working to electrify fish farm barges using renewable energy, cutting the use of diesel-generators.

£129K FUNDING AWARDED TO AQUACULTURE CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT

A cross-border collaborative project between Shetland-based firm, Ocean Kinetics Ltd, Edinburgh-based Stortera Ltd and MMG Welding Ltd, based in the North West of Ireland has benefitted from €130,000 of funding from the Co-Innovate programme, which is supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The partnership plans to research and develop a clean energy storage system, recharged from renewable energy at the shore via a lightweight subsea cable. The 12-month initiative is expected to lead to commercial activity and the creation of up to four highly skilled jobs in Argyll within three years.

Vicki Hazley, Co-Innovate Programme Manager at HIE, said:

“This collaborative R&D project is about addressing the need for a more efficient and responsive means of using renewable energy in aquaculture. As well as reducing operating costs, it has the potential to lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions, helping the industry’s contribution to net zero.

“We are very pleased to be able to provide funding and look forward to seeing the product move towards commercialisation.”

Shetland-based, Ocean Kinetics Ltd, is leading the project. The company has expanded into Argyll and established a base at Malin House in the European Marine Science Park (EMSP) near Oban.

John Henderson, Managing Director of Ocean Kinetics, said:

“Aquaculture is an important and growing sector for us and like other industries, it must move away from fossil fuels. Key to this will be commercially viable clean power systems. Co-Innovate has allowed us to accelerate our plans to establish a base in Argyll.

“Malin House provides co-location with a number of innovative marine businesses so we are excited to see what possibilities that will bring. Critically, we are executing this focused R&D project in a collaborative fashion, which is essential to solving big problems.”

Morag Goodfellow, HIE’s Area manager in Argyll and the Islands added:

“Ocean Kinetics’ expansion into Argyll further strengthens the growing marine innovation cluster at the EMSP, where they will be working alongside other innovation businesses involved in the blue economy. This is good news for the company, for the EMSP and for Argyll.”

Ocean Kinetics is working with MMG Welding Ltd, which provides engineering design, fabrication and installation services to the salmon farming industry in the North West of Ireland. They are also working with Edinburgh-based Stortera Ltd – a young technology development business offering smart and flexible energy storage systems.

The Co-Innovate partnership is led by InterTradeIreland and includes HIE, Scottish Enterprise, Enterprise Northern Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices in the border counties of Ireland, and East Border Region Ltd.

Match-funding for the Co-Innovate programme has been provided by HIE and Scottish Enterprise in Scotland, the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland.