The SUNBIO consortium held its 6-month plenary meeting on December 10–11, 2024, at the School of Naval Architects and Marine Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. Building on the progress made since the project’s kick-off in June, this gathering confirmed the achievement of the first major technical milestone: defining the specifications and requirements for the hybrid wave energy converter (WEC).
On the first day, participants were given a guided tour of the facilities, including the specialized tank capable of simulating waves of up to 100 meters. This tank generates artificial waves to test various equipment and vessels, providing valuable insights for the WEC’s design and subsequent trials.
During the meeting, partners reviewed ongoing work, focusing on finalizing the WEC design and preparing for initial tests at the NTUA towing tank. Attention also turned to the future installation of a custom-built demonstrator near the OBSEA Observatory in Barcelona. The aim is for the demonstrator to remain operational well beyond May 2027, enabling continuous ecological monitoring and supporting marine habitat protection.
This collaborative session underscored the consortium’s readiness to advance the project. By moving forward with design completion, trials, and field deployment, SUNBIO continues to make steady progress toward impactful outcomes in sustainable marine energy and environmental stewardship.
