A Scottish company called Mocean Energy presented the Blue X wave energy prototype. The prototype will power a subsea battery and a remote underwater vehicle using onshore testing.
The wave machine will be deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre’s Scapa Flow test site for sea trials initially, and then later deployed at EMEC’s large scale Billia Croo test site this summer.
Next year, the wave pioneers plan to connect the device to a subsea battery which will be used to power a remotely operated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV).
This demonstration of credible wave technology comes at a time when there is a real prospect of a market support mechanism for marine energy, that taken together, will enable wave energy to make a significant contribution to the future Scottish and UK low carbon energy mix needed to meet our net zero obligations
said WES Managing Director Tim Hurst.
The Blue X will now undergo ballasting and wet testing at Rosyth before being transported.
Commenting on the project, Mocean Energy Managing Director Cameron McNatt explained that the test programme in Orkney will prove the concept at sea, particularly that its hull shapes will produce more power than traditional raft designs.
