Abstract
The International Energy Agency (IEA) was established in 1974 and is managed within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to implement an international energy programme.
The IEA fosters co-operation amongst its 26 member countries, and with other countries, in order to increase energy security by improved efficiency of energy use, development of alternative energy sources and research, development and demonstration on matters of energy supply and use. This is achieved through the activities undertaken by the 40 current Implementing Agreements.
Implementing Agreements cover a wide range of energy technologies in fossil fuels, renewable energy, nuclear fusion research, energy end-use, electricity and transport. Most Implementing Agreements involve information exchange together with formal or informal coordination of R&D activities. Several IEA energy technology information centres or services have been set up to disseminate research and demonstration results in various fields.
The IEA Ocean Energy Systems is one of these Implementing Agreements. Presently the member countries are:
- Denmark
- Ireland
- Japan
- Portugal
- United Kingdom
The present report gives an overview of the status and progress of the work programme of this Implementing Agreement during the year 2002.