PLOCAN

PLOCAN
Name	PLOCAN
Established	2009
Location	Canary Islands, Spain
Type	Research Infrastructure

PLOCAN

The Plocan Oceanic Platform (hereafter the center) is a Spanish research infrastructure located in the Canary Islands that supports marine science, ocean technology, and renewable energy research. It provides testbed facilities, offshore platforms, and multidisciplinary services to academic institutions, industrial consortia, and international programs. The center engages with European Union initiatives, United Nations agencies, and national research organizations to advance ocean observation, underwater robotics, and marine renewable energy.

Overview

The center operates as a coastal and offshore test site linking field infrastructure with laboratory capabilities to enable experiments in oceanography and marine technology. It offers access to an array of assets including a multipurpose dock, an offshore test site, instrumented moorings, and a digital data management system. The center interfaces with European research networks such as European Marine Observation and Data Network, Horizon 2020, Interreg projects, and collaborates with universities like University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, research institutes like Spanish National Research Council, and agencies such as Instituto Español de Oceanografía.

History and Establishment

The initiative began in the first decade of the 21st century amid regional interest in maritime innovation and renewable energy exploitation. Funding and governance involved regional bodies such as the Government of the Canary Islands and national ministries including Ministry of Science and Innovation (Spain). Construction and commissioning phases drew technical input from engineering firms and marine institutes experienced with platforms like Southampton Oceanography Centre and facilities reminiscent of Ifremer infrastructure. The facility opened to researchers and industry partners following regulatory approvals from maritime authorities such as Spanish Maritime Safety Agency.

Mission and Research Areas

The center’s mission emphasizes enabling blue economy innovation, advancing ocean observation, and facilitating sustainable marine technologies. Research areas include marine renewable energy (wave, tidal, offshore wind), ocean observing systems, coastal processes, marine ecology, and underwater robotics. Projects have interfaced with international programs such as European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, Blue Growth Strategy (EU), and United Nations initiatives like UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The center supports studies in physical oceanography, biogeochemistry, and habitat monitoring alongside applied engineering investigations into moorings, metocean instrumentation, and autonomous platforms.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Infrastructure spans onshore laboratories, wet labs, an instrument calibration facility, and an offshore test site with dedicated mooring areas and a scientific platform. The onshore complex includes ship-to-shore interfaces and logistic support compatible with research vessels like RV Ramón Margalef and Sarmiento de Gamboa. Sensor suites, acoustic arrays, and subsea observatories align with standards used by organizations such as EuroGOOS and Global Ocean Observing System. The platform supports deployment of autonomous underwater vehicles similar to models developed by Bluefin Robotics and mapping tools used by Kongsberg Maritime.

Programs and Services

The center offers programs for technology validation, pilot deployments, and capacity building for researchers and companies. Services include sea trials, data hosting and processing, instrument rental, and training workshops for personnel affiliated with institutions such as European Marine Board and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Support is provided for open access data sharing in line with frameworks adopted by Copernicus Programme and marine data standards promoted by EMODnet. Certification and environmental impact assessment services coordinate with authorities like Canary Islands Port Authority.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Strategic partnerships connect the center with universities, research centers, and industry across Europe and beyond. Collaborators have included Technische Universität Berlin, University of Southampton, Delft University of Technology, University of Lisbon, and companies such as Iberdrola and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy on renewable energy testing. Participation in consortia with European Commission initiatives and networking through bodies like Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and ERANET fosters mobility and joint research. The center also partners with environmental NGOs and regional stakeholders such as Atlas of the Living Canarias projects and maritime authorities including Harbour Master of Las Palmas.

Impact and Notable Projects

The facility has enabled demonstrators and pilot projects in wave energy converters, tidal turbines, subsea sensors, and autonomous monitoring systems. Notable collaborations have produced test campaigns contributing to deployments similar in scope to trials by Ocean Renewable Power Company and innovation pathways akin to those pursued by European Marine Energy Centre. Data and technology trials have supported environmental monitoring for protected areas such as Macaronesia and contributed to scientific outputs presented at forums like European Geosciences Union meetings and publications within outlets associated with Frontiers in Marine Science and Journal of Marine Systems. The center’s capacity has accelerated technology readiness for devices later integrated by utilities and energy companies, and has hosted training that benefited researchers involved in programs funded by Horizon Europe and regional development initiatives.

Category:Oceanographic organizations