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Displaying items by tag: solar power

A proposal for what would be Europe’s largest offshore floating solar array has been awarded funding to see the project realised.

According to Marine Industry News, the €8.4m Nautical SUNRISE consortium is supported with €6.8m from the Horizon Europe programme for its offshore floating solar (OFS) R&D efforts.

Using existing cabling for offshore wind turbines off the Netherlands, the project aims to deploy an array of modular solar panels developed by Dutch consortium partner SolarDuck.

But first will come research and testing to ensure the system’s reliability, survivability, electrical stability and yield before it’s scaled up for a full offshore demonstration.

Marine Industry News has more on the story HERE.

Published in Power From the Sea

A Mayo based renewable energy startup Solar MarineEnergy is making plans to build Ireland’s first floating solar energy plant which it proposes to locate in Cork Harbour, writes the Irish Examiner.

“We have secured permission from the Port of Cork to install a 1.5MW plant at Ringaskiddy and are in the process of signing up the Marine and Renewable Energy Centre as clients for our electricity,” said Solar Marine Energy chief executive and co-founder Eamon Howlin, adding he has now applied to Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government for a foreshore licence for the project.

Hoping to get the plant up and running next year, Mr Howlin said that in addition to providing a supply of clean green energy, the “floating photovoltaic” installation will allow the company to demonstrate the effectiveness of its technology to prospective clients around the world.

He said the proposed installation will have the capacity to provide enough electricity for the annual needs of 350 houses. Seven years ago, Mr Howlin and company co-founder Michael Whelan observed the emergence of floating solar energy. They identified a gap in the market for floating platforms built to international maritime standards.

The newspaper has more on this proposed coastal development. 

Published in Marine Science

#SeaPower - In a week that saw the Government move to pull back from binding renewable energy targets, it's good to see others a more positive outlook on going green - with news that a French company has developed sails that can collect energy from the sun.

Sail World reports on the new SolarClothSystem from Sailmakers France, which makes use of photovoltaic cells in a flexible film that can be woven into the sail fabric.

What it means for yachts is the ability to generate power from the mainsail - and in future even sunshades, biminis and dodgers - without the need for direct sunlight.

The new tech is set to his the market in September, potentially ushering in a new era of carbon-neutral sailing as boats move under the power of the wind while generating electrical power from the same sails.

Sail World has more on the story HERE.

Published in Power From the Sea

Cork Harbour Information

It’s one of the largest natural harbours in the world – and those living near Cork Harbour insist that it’s also one of the most interesting.

This was the last port of call for the most famous liner in history, the Titanic, but it has been transformed into a centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

The harbour has been a working port and a strategic defensive hub for centuries, and it has been one of Ireland's major employment hubs since the early 1900s. Traditional heavy industries have waned since the late 20th century, with the likes of the closure of Irish Steel in Haulbowline and shipbuilding at Verolme. It still has major and strategic significance in energy generation, shipping and refining.

Giraffe wander along its shores, from which tens of thousands of men and women left Ireland, most of them never to return. The harbour is home to the oldest yacht club in the world, and to the Irish Navy. 

This deep waterway has also become a vital cog in the Irish economy.

‘Afloat.ie's Cork Harbour page’ is not a history page, nor is it a news focus. It’s simply an exploration of this famous waterway, its colour and its characters.

Cork Harbour Festival

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór and Cork Harbour Open Day formerly existed as two popular one-day events located at different points on Cork’s annual maritime calendar. Both event committees recognised the synergy between the two events and began to work together and share resources. In 2015, Cork Harbour Festival was launched. The festival was shaped on the open day principle, with Ocean to City – An Ras Mór as the flagship event.

Now in its sixth year, the festival has grown from strength to strength. Although the physical 2020 festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, the event normally features nine festival days starting on the first week of June. It is packed full of events; all made possible through collaboration with over 50 different event partners in Cork City, as well as 15 towns and villages along Cork Harbour. The programme grows year by year and highlights Ireland’s rich maritime heritage and culture as well as water and shore-based activities, with Ocean to City – An Rás Mór at the heart of the festival.

Taking place at the centre of Ireland’s maritime paradise, and at the gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork is perfectly positioned to deliver the largest and most engaging harbour festival in Ireland.

The Cork Harbour Festival Committee includes representatives from Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Port of Cork, UCC MaREI, RCYC, Cobh & Harbour Chamber and Meitheal Mara.

Marinas in Cork Harbour

There are six marinas in Cork Harbour. Three in Crosshaven, one in East Ferry, one in Monkstown Bay and a new facility is opening in 2020 at Cobh. Details below

Port of Cork City Marina

Location – Cork City
Contact – Harbour Masters Dept., Port of Cork Tel: +353 (0)21 4273125 or +353 (0)21 4530466 (out of office hours)

Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831023

Crosshaven Boatyard Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4831161

Salve Marina Ltd

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831145

Cork Harbour Marina

Location: Monkstown, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)87 3669009

East Ferry Marina

Location: East Ferry, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4813390

New Cove Sailing Club Marina

(to be opened in 2020)

Location: Cobh, Co. Cork
Contact: 087 1178363

Cork Harbour pontoons, slipways and ramps

Cork City Boardwalk Existing pontoon

Port of Cork 100m. pontoon

Cork city – End of Cornmarket St. steps and slip;

Cork city - Proby’s Qy. Existing limited access slip

Quays Bar & Restaurant, Private pontoon and ramp for patrons, suitable for yachts, small craft town and amenities

Cobh harbour [camber] Slip and steps inside quay wall pontoon

Fota (zoo, house, gardens) Derelict pontoon and steps

Haulbowline naval basin; restricted space Naval base; restricted access;

Spike Island pier, steps; slip, pontoon and ramp

Monkstown wooden pier and steps;

Crosshaven town pier, with pontoon & steps

East Ferry Marlogue marina, Slip (Great Island side) visitors’ berths

East Ferry Existing pier and slip; restricted space East Ferry Inn (pub)
(Mainland side)

Blackrock pier and slips

Ballinacurra Quay walls (private)

Aghada pier and slip, pontoon & steps public transport links

Whitegate Slip

Passage West Pontoon

Glenbrook Cross-river ferry

Ringaskiddy Parking with slip and pontoon Ferry terminal; village 1km.

Carrigaloe pier and slip; restricted space; Cross-river ferry;

Fountainstown Slip

White’s Bay beach

Ringabella beach

Glanmire Bridge and tide restrictions

Old Glanmire - Quay