Marine renewable energy DCNS incubator to be set up in Brest
In line with DCNS's declared intention to play a leading role in marine renewable energy, the Group has announced that it will set up an Marine renewable energy (MRE) incubator in Brest. The aims are to assemble and expand R&D spending and resources at the one location. A further objective is to share the Group's expertise with partners. The decision is also in line with French government initiatives following the Grenelle de la Mer marine environment summit.
Studies undertaken as part of the Group's recently announced ‘Championship' strategic plan suggest that marine renewable energy offers significant growth potential and the prospect of a market worth several billion euros per annum in a decade or so. DCNS aims to invest in four key areas: marine current turbines, floating offshore windfarms, wave energy and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC).
"Our historic areas of expertise are very close indeed to the skills needed to work in this emerging sector," says DCNS Chairman & CEO Patrick Boissier. "Our Group is the only one in France with proven expertise across an array of MRE solutions. The decision announced by the French prime minister on 2 December to set up a marine energies technology platform in Brest gives new impetus to the entire field. Brest is the ideal location for these facilities on account of its geographical situation, the skills available in the region and the support of the Brittany Maritime Cluster which already counts DCNS as an active member."
The Group's proven expertise and technologies cover the entire cycle needed to design, build and maintain next-generation energy systems.
DCNS and marine renewable energy
Drawing on its proven expertise in naval systems, DCNS is already participating, with various partners, in studies and projects expected to lead to future industrial programmes. These include:
• WINFLO (Wind turbine with INnovative design for Floating Lightweight Offshore), an innovative, floating, offshore, lightweight, wind turbine project promoted by a group of players active in the naval, oil and wind energy sectors, including Nass&Wind, DCNS, SAIPEM, In Vivo, French institute of marine research and exploration IFREMER and engineering school ENSIETA. The aim is to build a full-scale prototype, install it off the coast of Brittany and connect it to the national grid. The aims are to contribute to Brittany's energy supply base and to give French industry a head start in pioneering this new field.
• OTEC uses temperature differences between warmer surface water and cold deep currents to produce power 24/7. DCNS aims to produce a demonstrator, validate the technology, then explore its potential in tropical zones. DCNS and the Réunion regional council signed an initial R&D agreement in April 2009 to study the feasibility of installing an OTEC demonstrator on Réunion Island, a French overseas département in the Indian Ocean. In October 2009, the parties signed a second agreement to investigate the optimal integration of the proposed demonstrator with existing generating capacity.
About DCNS
DCNS is a leading European player on the world market for naval defence systems. The Group designs, builds and supports surface combatants, submarines and mission-critical systems and equipment incorporating the most advanced technologies. Drawing on dedicated teams, proven expertise and extensive industrial resources, DCNS is also expanding into new markets in civil nuclear energy, marine renewable energy and naval and industrial services. DCNS is committed to sustainable development and was one of the first defence contractors to achieve Group-wide certification to ISO 14001. The Group employs 12,000 staff and generates annual revenues of around €2.5 billion.