Northern Ireland's ability to generate more wave-generated power has been boosted by students at Queen's University.

The university and Aquamarine Power Limited, a leading marine energy company, have agreed a new five year research partnership which will develop the next generation hydro-electric wave power converter.

Already the partnership has created the Oyster wave power device. It is designed to capture the energy found in amplified surge forces in nearshore waves.

The first prototype of Oyster, a hydro-electric wave power converter, is to be launched at sea for the first time this summer at the European Marine Energy Centre off the coast of Orkney.

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The latest five-year deal will see Aquamarine work alongside the Environmental Engineering Research Centre at Queen's. The team from Aquamarine will model several devices in the state-of-the-art wave tanks in the Universitys Civil Engineering Department and at the Marine Biology Centre at Portaferry.

Professor Trevor Whittaker, Head of the Wave Power Research Centre and a world-renowned expert on wave power and coastal engineering said: "My team at Queens specialises in the application of fundamental research to industrial development, therefore I am very pleased to strengthen our links with Aquamarine Power, one of the worlds leaders in marine renewable energy."

Martin McAdam, Chief Executive of Aquamarine said: "I am delighted to announce Aquamarines continuing relationship with Queens University Belfasts world-leading team. Professor Trevor Whittaker is an award-winning expert in wave energy research. He and his group have tested and deployed more devices in their time than any other research facility in the world."

(PR/JM)