Ocean renewable energy is starting to play a significant and very important role in combating global climate change. Including ocean renewables in the energy policy will help in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Among the many options of ocean renewables, such as tidal, wind, wave, floating solar, salinity gradient, and ocean thermal energy, offshore wind power is one of the fastest-growing technologies. It is predicted that by 2042, offshore wind would become the number one energy source for Europe. Global offshore wind capacity is expected to increase by fifteen-fold by 2040 and make it a $1 trillion industry.

Asia is blessed with long coastlines, unique geography, and newly evolved favourable government policies, with impetus on the blue economy, and looks set to grow significantly in the offshore wind and wave energy sector over the next decade. Offshore wind includes both fixed-bottom and floating wind and remains at the forefront with an unstoppable growth trajectory. Global Energy Monitor (GEM) predicts that wind power in East Asia is likely to grow by 65%, making it one of the top wind-producing energy sectors by 2030. Nevertheless, we are nowhere near its growth potential, and some of the factors that impact the growth of wind power are lack of financing, infrastructure, social licensing, technology, and lack of global standards. The growth potential for wave energy and floating solar farms is enormous too. Waves has the highest energy density compared to other ocean renewables. However, there are many design challenges for Wave Energy Converters (WEC), which makes them less popular. WEC designs have to be location specific to be more efficient, and most current designs are relatively small in size, not sufficient to power large buildings or structures. 

This session will address the above areas of concern and propose ideas and solutions on how to enhance production and usage of energy from ocean renewables, with specific reference to the Asia and Southeast Asia region. Additionally, the session will address the need for hybrid ocean renewable systems and associated challenges.

This session is organised by Marine Technology Society.