Marine renewable energy in the United Kingdom and the role of the University of Edinburgh

Serious research into wave energy in the UK started in the 1970s and, from the beginning, the University of Edinburgh has played a significant role. The UK is now in the process of developing a new marine renewable energy industry and full scale commercial prototypes are already being tested at sea. A full scale testing centre, EMEC, has been established in Orkney and is proving crucial in the evolution of the industry. Research is still ongoing, however, and, once again, Edinburgh is playing a significant role. The University is involved in public and private funded research, much of it in direct association with industry.