Scotland's Renewable Energy Blog

Yemm awarded second Saltire medal at Edinburgh conference 

 Dr Richard Yemm, inventor of the Pelamis wave energy device has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to the development of the marine renewables sector. The iconic red ‘sea-snake’ wave energy converter has gained international recognition since Dr Yemm founded Pelamis Wave Power in Edinburgh in 1998.

First Minister Alex Salmond presented Dr Yemm, now Commercial Director of Pelamis, with the second annual Saltire Prize Medal at the Scottish Renewables annual conference dinner in Edinburgh.

The annual award – presented under the auspices of Scotland’s £10 million Saltire Prize marine energy challenge – aims to recognise outstanding contributions by individuals and groups to the development of wave and/or tidal power generation.
 
The First Minister said:

“I am delighted to present Richard Yemm with the Saltire Prize Medal, an accolade which he richly deserves for his tireless commitment to the development of wave energy generation. Since forming the initial concept of the Pelamis wave energy converter and establishing the company in 1998, Richard has driven forward the technical and commercial development of Pelamis Wave Power, which now boasts major international utilities E.ON, ScottishPower and Vattenfall among its customers. He has made a huge contribution to the wider wave energy and renewables sector through his active engagement across industry and government.  Richard’s drive, ambition and vision should be an inspiration to many young people who are considering careers in engineering, science and the energy industry.  I congratulate him on receiving this award.”

Accepting the Medal, Dr Yemm commented:

“It is a huge honour to be presented with this prestigious award, which I am delighted to accept on behalf of all who have worked tirelessly alongside me over the years to deliver on this once in a generation opportunity for Scottish engineering and industry.  This is an individual award, but wherever you take the time to look across this exciting new sector you can see exceptional individuals working together as one team to deliver on the ‘win-win’ of clean energy and economic development opportunity that marine energy represents. Our sector has a unique cohesiveness forged by experience that working together gives us – and an output much greater than the sum of the parts.”

Saltire Prize

The Saltire Prize, which has attracted more than 150 registrations of interest from 31 countries and already three official entrants, – will see £10 million awarded to the team that can demonstrate, in Scottish waters, a commercially-viable wave or tidal stream energy technology that achieves the greatest volume of electrical output over the set minimum hurdle of 100 GWh over a continuous two-year period using only sea power.

Information condensed from this Scottish Gvernment news release