The European Marine Energy Centre has appointed renewable energy expert Max Carcas of Caelulum Ltd to its senior team, with the aim of improving its external liaison activity.
Increased demand has meant that EMEC, which is well known in wave and tidal energy technology testing, needs to boost its industry engagement.
Carcas has many years experience in the energy and environment sectors behind him. He currently works as a Managing Director at Caelulum Ltd – a consultancy that specialises in offshore renewables.
He is perhaps best known for his work at Pelamis Wave Power where he was involved in raising more than £70 million in funds to support the company's technology projects. He has also been a prominent member of various industry steering groups including the Scottish Renewables Forum, Renewable Energy Association, RenewableUK and the EU Ocean Energy Association.
"I have joined EMEC at an exciting time for Scotland's marine renewable sector when industry engagement is critical to ensure the country has the funding and legislation in place…", Carcas said upon his appointment: "EMEC has an expanding research department with strong links with technology developers, academia, regulators and government and I look forward to working with them to help strengthen the centre's industry engagement and lobbying capabilities."
Neil Kermode, the director of EMEC, said, "EMEC is asked to participate in a wide circle of activities and groups but due to a growing interest, we have been finding it increasingly difficult to contribute to the desired extent due to rising activity levels at our sites in Orkney. Having Max on the team will be invaluable to help handle the critical areas of wider engagement this industry needs to succeed."
EMEC was established in 2003 with around £30 million of funding and is the only accredited wave and tidal test centre for marine renewable energy in the world.
