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PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Test Sites/Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS)
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Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS)
The Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) is being developed by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to facilitate testing of full-scale wave energy converters in an open ocean environment. AMETS will be located off Annagh Head, west of Belmullet in County Mayo and will be connected to the national grid. The test site is an integral component of Ireland’s Ocean Energy Strategy and is being developed in accordance with the national Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP). It is envisaged that the test site will provide a grid connected national test facility, to which full scale wave energy converters could be coupled during their final stages of pre-commercial development.
AMETS includes two separate test areas for wave energy devices and (pending) floating offshore wind.
- Berth A is located 12 km from Annagh Head and has a test area of 6.99 km2. The water depth is 100 m and the mooring substrate is sand. The annual mean significant wave height is 3.2.
- Berth B is located 3 km from Annagh Head and has a test area of 1.52 km2. The water depth is 50 m and the mooring substrate is a mix of sand and glacial till. The annual mean significant wave height is 2.9.
The test site is not yet in operation for developers but SEAI can offer interested developers a suite of detailed information such as live met-ocean data measurements, numerical wave modelling reports including wave propagation and wave energy assessments, offshore site investigations including vibrocores and multi-beam surveys. Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment complete; Foreshore Lease Award, January 2016; Substation Planning Permission, April 2017; Ongoing resource data collection.
Additional Information
Device Status
Is the test site actively testing or in planning (active)? Or is it permanently closed for business (inactive)?
Active
Energy Resource
- Wave
Duration
2016 -
Ongoing
Max Load Capacity
The maximum amount of electricity that can be accommodated at the test site, based on cable capacity.
10 MW
Grid Connectivity
Grid Connected
Number of Berths
2
Waterbody
Belderra Strand, Ireland
Site Characteristics
Geographic characterization for the test site location:
- Open Ocean: Main body of ocean, not enclosed or partially enclosed by land
- Coastal: Open water near the coast, spanning between land and shelf boundary
- Enclosed Bay: water that is partially surrounded by land, with a mouth open to larger water
- Constricted Channel: A channel where water flows quickly due to narrowing by the land
- River: Water flowing from land towards a larger body of water
Open Ocean
Country
Ireland
Environmental Details
Last Modified
1 August 2024
Citation Formats
“Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS).” Marine Energy Projects Database: Test Sites, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Test_Sites/Atlantic_Marine_Energy_Test_Site_(AMETS). Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.
Marine Energy Projects Database: Test Sites. <year>. "Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS)." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Test_Sites/Atlantic_Marine_Energy_Test_Site_(AMETS).
