IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
Standards body appeals for world's experts to help harness renewable energy from waves and tides
Geneva (ots)
IEC, the global body for electrical energy standards, is now recruiting experts from around the world to develop international standards for wave and tidal energy technology. These experts will help establish this promising source of renewable energy as a competitive form of electrical energy production.
With world production of electricity expected to double over the next 25 years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy production is expected to increase by 57%. Large scale use of renewable energy is important for the future to eliminate dependence on fossil fuels and to mitigate the effects of global warming.
The IEC is establishing a group of experts following contact with the International Energy Agency (whose membership of 26 countries includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US, and UK), whose present programme focuses on ocean waves and marine currents. According to the IEA: "Accelerated deployment of renewables can significantly reduce CO2 emissions, enhance energy security and further reduce technology costs."
IEC will help to ensure that, as marine energy technologies mature, international standards will help to reduce technology costs and thus make renewable energy increasingly competitive with existing energy alternatives. Experts are expected to come from private sector enterprises involved in wave and tidal energy technologies, as well as representatives from governments and end-user groups.
About IEC
IEC is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that develops international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. The IEC brings together 143 countries and some 10 000 experts from industry, government, academia and end-users. IEC Standards cover a vast range of technologies including power generation, home appliances and office equipment, solar energy and nanotechnologies. Founded in 1906 at the beginning of electrification, the IEC is now working to ensure the efficient standardization of technologies to mitigate the effects of global warming. IEC publishes IT standards jointly with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
For more information, please go to: www.iec.ch/zone/renergy/
Contact:
Jonathan Buck
Tel: +41/22/919'02'11
Internet: www.iec.ch
Email: info@iec.ch