Marine energy, derived from waves or tidal currents off the Otago coast, could help meet some of New Zealand's electricity needs within a decade, Dunedin energy researcher Paul Young believes.
Mr Young is a University of Otago physics researcher who is writing an MSc thesis on wave energy and one of the organisers of a public forum on marine energy being held at 5.30pm tomorrow at Otago University.
Dr Ross Vennell, of the university marine science department, Mr Young and Mr Tim Divett, who is undertaking PhD research at Otago, are the speakers at the forum, being held at room 7N10 at the university's Richardson building.
The forum is being organised by Solar Action, which is also known as the New Zealand Renewable Energy Society.
"Marine energy will not be a silver bullet to replace carbon-based fossil fuels, but will be an important part of the mix," Mr Young said.
The society seeks to educate and promote the sustainable use of renewable energy.
