Smartbay Test Site

DESCRIPTION

Smartbay is Ireland’s national marine test and demonstration facility for the development of innovative products and services for the global maritime sector. The test site is located 4.5 km east of Spiddal in County Galway approximately 1.5 km offshore. The test site is suitable for developers wishing to undertake low-cost sea trials and validation of devices and components at various technology readiness levels. The facilities in the site include: 1) Fully licensed test site for ocean energy devices; 2) Site located 1.5 km offshore with water depths ranging from 20 m to 25 m 3) Fully characterized wave climate 4) Comprehensive time-series of weather, wave and current data for the site 5) Proximity to ports and associated facilities.

AREAS OF SPECIAL COMPETENCE

Marine renewable energy testing support; floating offshore wind turbines testing support; energy components for MRE and FOW testing support; mooring systems testing support.

WHAT CAN BE TESTED

Testing, validation and demonstration of marine renewable energy devices (wave and floating wind) in real-ocean conditions; studies related to supply chain definition and engagement; community engagement and user-acceptance.

AVAILABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

The site provides: real-ocean, licensed test site; multi-parameter data buoy capable of receiving further sensors and projects; permanent sub-sea platform cabled to shore, delivering real-time data, in itself a testbed for marine technology.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH US

Send an email to or call our contact point. A team will return the contact and assess the project, find the proper funding program and assist in the preparation of an application.

PRICING MODEL

The cost model is based on the user profile, the exact facility(ies) that will be used in the test site, the duration of the access, and the type of funding that will (completely or partially) fund the project. The evaluation of the price for access and for the services will then proceed on a case by case basis.