Ocean energy in focus - world's leading experts meet in Uppsala

The oceans represent a yet unharnessed energy resource that is attracting increasing attention from politicians and power companies. International environmental officials and the Nordic region's three largest power companies will be on hand when researchers meet in Uppsala from 7-9 September to exchange insights.

"This is the first time that three major power companies are involved in the conference," says Professor Mats Leijon, host of the event and head of a growing group of researchers developing wave and tidal energy technology at Uppsala University. "This evidences significant interest in the issues involved. Marine energy solutions, which are less expensive than many other technologies, are on their way to becoming a reality."

Oceans account for more than 70 per cent (CHECK) of the Earth's surface. Current energy solutions are predominately land-based, despite the fact, for example, that the energy density of water is higher than that of air.

The conference, EWTEC 2009, the world's largest within the field of ocean and wave energy, has never before been held in Sweden. More than 400 participants from 30 countries, essentially representing the totality of international expertise, will meet at the University Main Building and Uppsala Castle to present the latest findings relating to nearly 100 technology concepts under development throughout the world. Wave energy research is particularly well established in the UK, Sweden and Portugal. Leading research is also under way in several other EU countries, the U.S., Japan and Australia.

The Director General of the Swedish Energy Agency and several power company CEOs will be the main speakers during the conference's introductory session, to be held in the University Main Building. This session, which will also feature company exhibitions, will address the general theme of future energy solutions for society. It will be followed by 12 sessions of scientific presentations at Uppsala Castle. In addition to these technical sessions, smaller discussions of testing standards, norms, markets and financing are also scheduled.

More information on the programme.

Read about Uppsalas research on wave power.

Please contact Professor Mats Leijon by calling +46-76-143 04 00 (mobile) in connection with any research-related enquiries.

Other enquiries should be directed to Emilia Lalander at +46-18-471 58 12, +46-73-573 64 07 or emilia.lalander@angstrom.uu.se

Please note that all media contacts should be directed to Senior Press Officer Anneli Waara at anneli.waara@uadm.uu.se or +46-18-471 1974.