2013 - University College Cork

MARINE RESEARCH CENTRES AT UCC
HYDRAULICS AND MARITIME
RESEARCH CENTRE (HMRC)
The Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) is a centre of excellence for Ocean Renewable
Energy and Coastal Engineering providing support to the maritime industry as well as
fundamental research and development. Since its establishment in 1979 the HMRC has undertaken
a variety of fundamental and applied research projects alongside industrial design contracts. The
centre is a semi-autonomous unit within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
in University College Cork. It provides infrastructure and research facilities to developers of ocean
energy devices. In order to achieve results the HMRC has adopted a hands on approach; device
prototypes, based on thorough research, calculations and modelling, are built and tested to verify
and advance the field.
HMRC currently has a staff of 42 and comprises postdoctoral researchers, engineers and PhD
students across a range of engineering and other disciplines, from hydrodynamics, civil, electrical
and mechanical engineering to marine law and economics. This provides a diverse assortment of
experience and skills to explore the multi disciplinary technology.
HMRC, which is principally a dedicated research facility, also offers a teaching and education
function. It houses the only facilities for wave simulation in Ireland with a Wave Flume and an
Ocean Wave Basin and was designated as the National Ocean Test Facility in 2009. There are
also several electrical and mechanical test rigs for linear actuation, turbine test and pneumatic
emulation. These facilities have recently undergone a €2.5m upgrade, giving them state-of-the-art
capabilities. The Centre also has its own supercomputing facilities as well as a suite of numerical
modelling packages, both industry standard and bespoke. Electrical grid research involves the
production of commercial, dynamic, grid-connect models for ocean wave and tidal systems.
The HMRC offers independent advice and support to developers through model testing, concept
design, computer modelling, design performance validation, resource assessments and offshore
data recording. Many prominent international projects have used the facilities and knowledge of
the HMRC at some stage in their development. The HMRC have also outlined a protocol for how
wave energy devices should be developed, providing a useful guideline for developers and investors.
The Centre aims to become an international centre of excellence for Ocean Energy research,
training, consultation and support, growing from an existing strong national integrated base.
The HMRC will relocate to a new €14m state-of-the-art facility in Ringskiddy called the Beaufort
Laboratory in 2014. Three groups will be merged; the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre
(HMRC), the Coastal and Marine Research Centre (CMRC), and the Sustainable Energy Research
Group (SERG). The three groups under the Irish Maritime & Energy Research Cluster (IMERC) aim
to promote Ireland as a world-renowned research and development location that unlocks Ireland’s
maritime and energy potential.