The Ocean Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Programme (OES) is an intergovernmental collaboration between countries, which operates under framework established by the International Energy Agency in Paris.
The Ocean Energy Systems Energy Technology Collaboration Programme (OES) was launched in 2001. The need for technology cooperation was identified in response to increased activity in the development of ocean wave and tidal current energy in the latter part of the 1990’s and the beginning of this decade, primarily in Denmark, Portugal and the United Kingdom.These three countries were the inaugural signatories to the OES.
The OES brings together countries to advance research, development and demonstration of conversion technologies to harness energy from all forms of ocean renewable resources, such as tides, waves, currents, temperature gradient (ocean thermal energy conversion and submarine geothermal energy) and salinity gradient for electricity generation, as well as for other uses, such as desalination, through international cooperation and information exchange.
OES consists of 25 members. Each country is represented by contracting parties - who nominates participants in the OES Executive Committee. Participants in the OES are specialists from government departments, national energy agencies, research or scientific bodies and academia, nominated by the Contracting Parties.