Ocean Energy

WATCH AN INTRODUCTION TO OCEAN ENERGY

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT

Our seas and oceans offer a vast renewable energy resource. Offshore wind energy is the most established sector and is the fastest growing activity in the Blue Economy. The EU is responsible for 91% of the global offshore wind capacity. Offshore wind directly employs 160,000 persons and it is estimated that by 2030 it will employ 244,000 persons in the EU. It already exceeds the employment of fisheries. Most of the current capacity is installed in the North Sea. Ocean energy is also an enormous source of potential energy and is less variable than other energy sources such as wind and sun. It includes various types of energy production such as tidal, wave, current, osmosis, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). It employs about 2,000 people across Europe. Because of its potential, there is a lot of research ongoing in the EU with around 320 companies and organisations operating in this sector from various Member States. Between 2007 and 2015, 2,6 billion € were invested in this sector in the EU.

In general, ocean energy means harnessing the power of the oceans to produce electricity. Oceans can produce two types of energy: thermal energy from the sun's heat, and kinetic energy from the tides and waves. Oceans cover more than 70% of Earth's surface, and that makes it one of the most important sources of energy production.

As written before this can be done in several ways, but the resources that have the most immediate potential in terms of energy production are:

waves: using wave energy converters (WEC) to generate electricity.
tides: using tidal barrages, fences and turbines to generate electricity.

Europe continues to lead the world in ocean energy deployments, and in 2017 its tidal projects produced record volumes of electricity, according to annual statistics published by Ocean Energy Europe.

Useful Links

Global offshore wind installed capacity will reach 228 GW by 2030, according to projections from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

WindEurope hammers out eight-point plan to realise national ambitions

Green recovery: Energy transition poised to power future job growth

Countries Raise the Sails on Offshore Renewables Sector

Eight Governments pledge to kickstart offshore wind energy in the Baltic Sea

Ocean energy employs about 2,000 people across Europe. Because of its potential, there is a lot of research ongoing in the EU with around 320 companies and organisations operating in this sector from the various Member States. Between 2007 and 2015, 2,6 billion € were invested in this sector in the EU. The size of the prize for commercialising ocean energy is huge. In Europe alone, the ocean energy industry plans to deploy 100GW of production capacity by 2050, meeting 10% of electricity demand. That’s enough to meet the daily electricity needs of 76 million households.

Deploying 100GW of ocean energy will also mean creating a new industrial sector based firmly in Europe, and 400,000 skilled jobs all along the supply chain.

In short, Ocean energy (tidal, waves, etc.) employs about 2,000 people in Europe now and 10,500-26,500 permanent jobs and up to 14,000 temporary jobs could be created by 2035.

A lot of different areas are offering jobs in the field of ocean energy such as:

Entry level mechanical work
Marine engineering
Supply industry
Project development, operations and maintenance
Boating and transport
Research and science
Construction

Meet professionals working in ocean energy in the menu Interview.

There are 1,000’s of opportunities in this sector, here are a few examples:

Wind Farm Service Boat Skippers and crew
Mechanics and Maintenance workers
Construction workers
Electricians and technicians
ITC services i.e. Website services and designers
Health and Safety Staff
Renewable Energy Project Managers and Staff
Project Designers
Researcher and project developer
Energy Information Advisor

GENERAL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT EU

Offshore wind 160,000 Jobs now. Expected to rise to 260,000 Jobs for 2020. (Source: Windeurope)

Ocean energy (tidal, waves, etc.) 2,000 Jobs now. 10,500-26,500 permanent jobs and up to 14,000 temporary jobs could be created by 2035. (Source: EC-Maritime Affairs)

Interview 1

With thanks to: Alexia Togelou

How did you become interested in the marine environment?

I became interested in offshore wind as this is currently one of the most exciting, complicated and vital parts of the renewable energy sector future. It involves the simplicity and ever evolving aspect of the wind turbine design with the additional complexity of the marine installation.

What was your entry route?

I studied Electrical Engineering and followed up with an MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems. Following this, I entered a graduate scheme for one of the biggest wind turbine suppliers globally where I developed into a technical project manager.

What are your tasks?

Manage the development of the technical concept of wind farm projects (preliminary foundation & electrical design, marine operation and O&M concept) and manage the identification/screening of different countries for potential new offshore wind farm developments.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

In my job, you can get involved with various different aspects of the technical design of a wind farm with the possibility to dive down into more detail in any of the different aspects if of interest. At the same time, you have exposure and partly drive the commercial aspect of the wind farm development. Finally, offshore wind is still an evolving industry with fairly young workforce full of excitement and will to learn and develop. P.S. Travelling around the world is also nice!

Do you have any tips for someone considering a similar career to yours?

Be flexible in your plans and don’t be disappointed if you don’t get your targeted role immediately. There are multiple ways to develop into such a role so have alternatives. Once you get into the wind industry (directly or via oil & gas or another industry) you have the chance to move around and make changes in your career as you go along

Interview 2

With thanks to: David Edward Weir (Principal Engineer, Wind Energy Technology at Equinor)

How did you become interested in the marine environment?

Offshore wind energy is an exciting field where there is a high pace of technological development and innovation. Social and environmental consequences for offshore wind are less than for most other types of energy production, and with costs dropping as quickly as they are offshore wind has a bright future!

What was your entry route?

I have worked with wind power since getting my degree in atmospheric science in 2008. First as a consultant doing wind resource assessment, then as an adviser in the Norwegian governmental energy authorities where I gained experience with economic aspects of wind energy.

What are your tasks?

Technical and economic aspects of wind project development. Specifically, wind farm layout design; and contributions to wind farm LCOE optimization.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

My job is in a quickly growing and modern industry with a global focus. In the wind industry young people can advance quickly due to the rapid growth and the need for more people.

Do you have any tips for someone considering a similar career to yours?

Get in the door somewhere, even if it involves moving. There is no shortage of wind energy jobs and things are moving quickly – with a bit of experience from the wind industry you’ll quickly become an attractive candidate for many different kinds of jobs.

Interview 3

With thanks to: Bjørn Ivar Vold (Principal Analyst Operations)

How did you become interested in the marine environment?

I became gradually interested. It started with a genuine interest in the energy transition, moving to a renewable future. Then I was introduced to wind energy during my studies and got a genuine interest in the technical challenges and the big energy potential which wind energy offers. From there my interest grew to cover all aspects with wind energy, and especially offshore wind. I now join with great interest discussions on everything from vessel capabilities to commercial power sales discussions.

What was your entry route?

Msc in Technology, Industrial Economics. Master thesis on LCC of floating offshore wind. First job; Research Scientist, Research on eco-efficient utilization of energy and waste resources. Then trainee in Statkraft, Asset Management Offshore Wind.

What are your tasks?

Create a safe workplace that makes sure the turbines spin when it matters to the lowest cost possible. Technical and economic aspects of wind project operations. Specifically, prepare OPEX and wind farm technical availability. Select O&M strategy and set operational requirements to the project. Secure all operational contracts (port, service, vessels, IT systems, people) and establish operational base (people and assets).

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Working with Offshore wind, a global industry rapidly developing, and which have a significant impact on the energy transition, is inspiring and keeps me motivated. Also, I’m lucky to be surrounded by kind, curious and competent people which makes the daily work more enjoyable. Finally, in my role I make well use of my experience and skills in offshore wind and my educational background in finance and engineering which is good for my professional development and the company.

Do you have any tips for someone considering a similar career to yours?

Get your foot in the door either thru an internship, graduate program, summer job or similar and once you’re in, stay curious, be humble and voice your opinion.