Members of Lichfield Science and Engineering Society have been hearing how the UK should be making greater steps to replace carbon fuels with wave and tidal power.
The views came from Neil Kermode, the managing director ofthe European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), based in Orkney and the first centre of its kind to be created anywhere in the world. It offers developers the facilities to test full scale grid-connected prototypes, carries out assessments and certifications and assists with the necessary legislation.
Neil told the group that his views followed the theory that the Stone Age didn’t end because the stone ran out, but because we found something better. He added that since the west coast of Scotland is in one of the highest wave and tide energy bands in the world it should be possible to provide up to 20 per cent of the UK’s electricity from a combination of these sources.
The Society heard how development of marine power in the UK not only promises benefits in energy conversion but also the creation of a whole new industry.
Brian Hammond, chairman of Lichfield Science and Engineering Society, said:
“We received another great lecture by a man who clearly believed in and lived for what he was doing.”
Lichfield Science and Engineering Society’s next lecture is on the potentially gory subject of Dissection and Display in the Eighteenth Century, but for the more fainthearted there are several visits planned.