Research

Aquatera is engaged in a range of research and development activities, creating tools and resources to support our clients' business needs. We are also a partner in a number of international technology research projects. In this field, we work with governments, academic institutions and industry to share, disseminate and apply research particularly related to the marine environment.

With our extensive knowledge of mapping techniques and computer technology, we have developed software and hardware to provide new and better ways of presenting complex technical information to the public, industry, government and regulators; novel ways of monitoring environmental conditions; new models and descriptive tools for characterising the environment and interactions with the environment; and new engineering designs that better exploit the interactions that occur with the environment.

Our R&D work has produced a number of proprietary tools which are available to support our clients’ projects, including:

  • Resource Analysis and Digital Mapping Application (RADMAPP) - a bespoke database and graphic interface created by Aquatera, designed to function like a GIS system without the need for specialist knowledge, training or special software
  • AIS data management tool
  • Database of tidal resources around the world - Find out more

With our experience working in different environments, both onshore and offshore, and our significant technical expertise, Aquatera is well-placed to support research projects in a range of technical areas, from testing technlogy solutions to disseminating research results.

Projects

  • COLUMBUS - Monitoring, Managing and Transferring Marine and Maritime Knowledge for Sustainable Blue Growth, European Commission Horizon 2020 Framework Programme. The project is about transferring knowledge developed through research and applying it in fields of economic activity related to the marine environment. The initiative involves 26 partners across Europe, and Aquatera is the lead for work on Marine Physical Resources
  • LAkHsMI - Sensors for large scale hydrodynamic imaging of the ocean floor, European Commission Horizon 2020 Framework Programme. Aquatera is involved on the sensor characterisation and represents the marine energy sector as a potential end-user, with responsibility for technology validation and testing. We are also leading on the dissemination of research results
  •  Accelerating marine energy development in Indonesia, Centre for Understanding Sustainability in Practise (CUSP) - Robert Gordon University (RGU). Aquatera is providing a range of support for project development including: providing synoptic maps showing marine energy resources, analysis of energy markets, identifying relevant international marine energy policies and standards, helping to refine the SPO documents and subsequent policies for Indonesia
  • Performance Review of Maritime Support Services for Orkney (PRoMSSO) - £2.4M project to trial team of local vessels to deliver a range of tasks that could reduce installation costs, Scottish Government - View the Video