EMEC Becomes Assessor Under EU-ETV Scheme
The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Ltd is helping bring new low-carbon technologies to market. EMEC has been approved as an assessor under the EU’s Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) scheme and will be checking claims about the performance of innovative environmental technologies.
Building on its reputation as a test site, EMEC will issue a Statement of Verification at the end of the ETV process as evidence that the claims made about the innovation are both credible and scientifically sound. This will cover areas much wider than just its present remit of wave and tidal energy.
With proof of performance independently assured by EMEC, the risk of innovation is reduced for technology purchasers. This makes new technologies easier to invest in so they can find a market faster.
“By helping assure purchasers that the innovation claims are real, we believe ETV will get products to market sooner. The sooner they get used, the sooner the inventor and the environment feel the benefit.” said Dave Wakefield, EMEC’s ETV manager.
“ETV is a tool for answering questions like: does this technology deliver what it promises? Does it deliver the resource savings it claims? How will it have a tangible environment benefit? In a market where standards may not currently exist, ETV can give products visibility and legitimacy, as well as giving credibility to the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) developing them. And the verification is not just for the UK - one major benefit is that it provides a pan-European verification, as opposed to just being valid in a single country.
“We really want to encourage technology developers to consider how this pilot scheme could give them a helping hand. We are ready to help, so I would encourage prospective participants to get in touch now for further information.”
The EU-ETV Pilot Programme, operating as one of the initiatives under the Eco-Innovation Action Plan of the European Commission, aims to promote eco-innovation, mainly in highly dynamic and innovative SMEs.
The cost of verification varies depending on the complexity of the technology, but the European Union is offering financial support for the ETV Pilot programme through EMEC, with the aim of limiting the costs of participating SMEs to around €20,000. Additional support towards this cost may also be available via member state grants or built within R&D funding programmes such as Horizon 2020.
EMEC is the world’s only accredited test laboratory for full-scale wave and tidal energy converters. Accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) under ISO/IEC 17025, it has expanded its scope attaining the International Standard ISO/IEC 17020 for verification of new environmental technologies.
“We were delighted to have been chosen as one of the leading Verification Bodies under the scheme” said Dave Wakefield.
“Widening the scope of our verification work to encompass all aspects associated with the marine energy sector across EU member states is an exciting development. I am really looking forward to see how we can help bring new technologies to market as well as helping the environment.”
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