Renewable Energy research shortlisted for Green Energy Award

The awards celebrate the success of the South West renewable energy industry, and allow the variety of innovation, collaboration and good working practices to be recognised within the sector.

Dr Johanning has been nominated as ‘South West Sustainable Energy Champion’ for his contribution towards the development of the Marine Renewable Energy industry in the South West, a sector that has the potential to create 19,500 jobs by 2035, draw investment of £6.1 billion and generate an annual £800 million Gross Value Added for the UK economy.

His contribution includes scientific support towards the commercial array demonstration site Wave Hub; through his involvement in the establishment of the FaB Test nursery site in Falmouth Bay, the SW Mooring Test Facility (SWMTF), the dynamic marine component test facility (DMaC) and his support towards the establishment of the South West Marine Energy Park. The South West Marine Energy Park was launched in January 2012 by the UK Energy Minister Rt Hon Greg Barker, presenting a unique model to implement the region’s ambition to become a ‘strategic area’ for offshore renewable energy.

The South West marine industry is recognised as a vital ‘priority’ sector for the future prosperity of the region, and the innovative research conducted by the Marine Renewable Energy team at the University of Exeter is an essential part in its progress and realisation.

Dr Johanning said: “I am honoured to be nominated for this award and it is fantastic to be recognised for the hard work that went into the establishment of the Marine Energy sector in the South West, which would never have been achieved without the brilliant team around me and the collaborative engagements with industry and stake holders. In particular, I would like to thank all individuals and parties that allowed the encouraging deployment of the Fred Olsen's BOLT "Lifesaver" wave energy converter at FaB Test.”

FaB Test has also been shortlisted for an award, in the ‘Best Business Innovation’ category. The nursery wave energy test facility is situated within Falmouth harbour, and enables wave energy device developers to test components, concepts or full scale renewable energy devices.

The awards will be announced on Tuesday 20 November at the Assembly Rooms, Bath. Winners will be decided by a panel of independent judges, including experts on sustainability, business innovation, community projects and local authorities.