OES Annual Report 2012 - Ocean Energy Systems

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01 / INTRODUCTION
1.3 / OCEAN ENERGY SYSTEMS
The Ocean Energy Systems Implementing Agreement (OES) is an intergovernmental collaboration between
countries, to advance research, development and demonstration of technologies to harness energy from all
forms of ocean renewable resources, such as tides, waves, currents, temperature gradient (ocean thermal
energy conversion and submarine geothermal energy) and salinity gradient for electricity generation, as
well as for other uses, such as desalination, through international co-operation and information exchange.
The OES covers all forms of energy generation, in which seawater forms the motive power, through its
physical and chemical properties (Figure 1). It does not presently cover offshore wind generation, since
seawater is not the motive power (offshore wind is covered by the Wind Energy Implementing Agreement).
Ocean Energy
Tidal Rise
& Fall
Tidal / Ocean
Currents
Waves
Salinity
Gradient
Thermal
Gradient
FIG. 1: Principal Forms of Ocean Energy
IEA Implementing Agreements (IAs) operate on a 5-year period called a “term”. Before completion of a
term, an IA’s ExCo can apply for a further 5-year mandate. The grant of a new term involves the submission
by the ExCo of an End-of-Term Report, summarizing how the IA fulfilled the aims of its past Strategic Plan,
and a new Strategic Plan for the next term.
The current term of OES expired on 28 February 2012. Thus, a request for a new 5-year term, including
the End-of-Term Report and a new Strategic Plan, had been submitted to the IEA’s Committee on Energy
Research and Technology (CERT) in July 2011, and was approved on 1 February 2012.
The OES international co-operation facilitates:
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Securing access to advanced R & D teams in the participating countries
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Developing a harmonized set of measures and testing protocols for the testing of prototypes
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Reducing national costs by collaborating internationally
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Creating valuable international contacts between government, industry and science
The ExCo is continuing to develop a suite of information dissemination tools that will assist the OES in
becoming a leading international authority on ocean energy. Ocean energy remains an emerging technology
area and will continue to benefit from the existence of the international collaboration mechanism offered
under the Implementing Agreement contract.