Case study: Wave of opportunity

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the University of Exeter and A&P Falmouth, a ship repair firm, has allowed the company to enter the lucrative and important marine renewable energy field.

A&P Falmouth is collaborating with academics from the University’s Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE) to harness A&P’s experience and capabilities in marine engineering.  Together A&P and the University hope to advance world-leading technologies, and also secure the economic future of Falmouth and Cornwall.

PRIMaRE, an ongoing multi-million pound project, is backed by the European Regional Development Fund’s Convergence & Competitiveness resources and the South West Regional Development Agency.  This allows PRIMaRE to reach out to industry in order to aid economic growth and job creation in the South West.

Discussion between the University and A&P Falmouth, based near the University’s Cornwall campus in Tremough, identified a possible synergy between the company’s experience and capabilities in marine engineering, and PRIMaRE’s research into engineering for marine renewable devices and energy policy.

PRIMaRE’s relationship with A&P Falmouth underlines the value and impact of the research the project is undertaking.  A&P Falmouth is central to the fortunes of the Cornish town it takes its name from, and without assistance from PRIMaRE the opportunity that entering the marine renewable energy field presents may have been lost.

Knowledge shared between A&P and PRIMaRE will allow the firm to offer a range of high value services to technology developers through facilities like the Wave Hub and South West Moorings Test Facility Buoy.  Marine renewable energy is a growing global field that A&P Falmouth is now at the heart of, furthering Cornwall’s strong position in the UK’s first Low Carbon Economic Area.