Pictured at the announcement (l-r): Mark Doherty, ESA; Seán Sherlock T.D. Minister for Research and Innovation; Charlotte O'Kelly, CEO TechWorks Marine, Pierre Eymery, CEO Veolia Ireland

Irish marine science and technology company TechWorks Marine, Enterprise Ireland client, has secured a contract to lead a European Space Agency (ESA) research project on monitoring coastal outlets.
 
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin-based TechWorks Marine is to lead the ESA Earth Observation project. Earth Observation is the gathering of information about the earth’s physical, chemical and biological systems from satellites orbiting the planet. This new ESA project is specifically working on the coastal effect of waste water treatment plants in Ireland, notably in Donegal Bay. 
 
This is the first time an ESA Earth Observation project has been led by an Irish group and is the culmination of four years’ work by TechWorks Marine. The project was secured with support from Enterprise Ireland which is the co-ordinating body for the ESA in Ireland.    

Speaking at the announcement Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock, TD, said that the win was a “significant” one for TechWorks Marine. “It clearly indicates that Irish SMEs have the capability and expertise to lead projects in this highly competitive sector,” he said.

TechWorks Marine specialises in the development of real-time marine data platforms.  These are used by Governments and businesses to manage the oceans surrounding their countries and business operations.

Charlotte O’Kelly, Managing Director of TechWorks Marine explained: “The coastal zone is a notoriously complex area to monitor from space due to its proximity to land and also sensor pixel resolution of the images.  However, improvements in sensor technology, mean it is now possible to develop Earth Observation products specifically aimed at areas of coastal activity. These products can be used to analyse the effect of waste water treatment plant outfalls in the coastal environment, or ensure that water close to the intakes of desalination plants does not have harmful algal blooms which could be a health hazard to humans.”

Ireland’s membership of ESA is funded by the Irish Government and is managed by Enterprise Ireland. Membership of ESA enables Irish companies’ and research institutes to participate in ESA programmes and secure valuable contracts for technology developments that can be commercially exploited.   Enterprise Ireland’s role is to assist Irish entities to successfully bid for ESA contracts and help them exploit their technologies in the commercial space and non-space markets. 

Read the full press release