Renewable Energy

The development of renewable energy is vital for the UK's energy system for multiple reasons:

• Mitigation of climate change through the reduction of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Improving domestic energy security by reducing our dependence upon imported fossil fuels.

• Filling the looming 'energy gap' which will occur over the next ten years as a result of the closure of existing UK power stations.

A variety of renewable energy resources exist, including wind, solar, biomass/biofuels, hydropower, geothermal, wave and tidal. Realistically, in order to meet  ambitious renewable energy targets, a portfolio approach, which emcompasses a wide range of these technologies represents the lowest risk approach for the UK energy system.

4NRg focuses on marine renewable energy, specifically wave and tidal power, because we believe that these technologies have a great, yet largely untapped potential to contribute to a sustainable energy system. The UK is a world leader in marine renewables not only because we have access to high quality marine energy resources in our surrounding seas, but also because we house a number of high class centres and organisations dedicated to development of this new technology. The European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, Wavehub in Cornwall and the National Renewable Energy Centre in the North East all aid in the development of this new and exciting industry. The upcoming Technology and Innovation Centre dedicated to Offshore Renewables also promises to aid this expanding industry.