New marine building for University

As a dedicated innovation centre for marine renewable technology and engineering businesses, the new facility is set to be at the heart of the new South West Marine Energy Park and will house the most advanced wave tank testing equipment in the country.

Leadbitter’s regional director, Rob Bradley, presented the ‘keys’ to Vice Chancellor professor Wendy Purcell, who commented: “The equipment and technical and research expertise we have here, will catalyse the marine and maritime sectors, and help attract leading researchers and commercial clients. In fact, we have already signed up our first international marine renewables tenant company. This shows how the University plays a key role in attracting vital inward investment into the marine economy and is at the heart of the South West Marine Energy Park.”

The focus of the complex building, which will also contain a Marine Navigation Centre, will be the Coastal Ocean and Sediment Transport (COaST) laboratories housing a number of wave tanks and flumes where engineers will be able to assess devices using different stimulated wave, current and wind conditions.