Waves4Power is a Swedish-based developer of buoy-based Offshore Wave Energy Converter (OWEC) systems.[1] Ongoing research and development is done in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology.[2] A partnership with Dutch engineering specialist BnD-Engineering in 2021 aimed to commercialize and deploy the system on a global scale.[3]
The device is a floating buoy with a long vertical tube containing a "water piston"; this is out-of-phase with the passing waves allowing power to be generated.[4]
A demonstration plant was installed in February 2016 at the Runde Environmental Centre in Norway.[5] This was connected via sub-sea cable to the shore based power grid.[6][7] It was the first grid connected wave energy project in Norway, on 2 June 2017 and rated at 100 kW.[5]
In November 2017, testing of the WaveEl 3.0 was halted a month early due to damage to the anchor.[8] This device went through 12,000 hours (almost 1½ years) of survivability demonstration, providing power into the Norwegian electricity grid for around 4,000 hours.[9] The buoy was 3.0 metres (9.8 ft) in diameter.[4]
In 2018, ongoing long-term grid-connected testing of a 100 kW Wave-EL prototype at Runde was reported.[10]
In 2020, the company received a grant from the EU funded Interreg Ocean DEMO project, enabling it to access the grid-connected test berths at EMEC for three years.[9] The plan was to have six WaveEL devices connected via a hub, and have the device certified by a classification society.[11] However, as of September 2024[update] these tests have not happene
In 2022, Waves4Power signed a memorandum of understanding with PLN Indonesia Power to develop wave energy parks.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Alternative Energy Company - Waves4Power AB | AltEnergyMag". www.altenergymag.com. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Grolms, Martin (15 May 2019). "One Step Forward for Wave Power". Advanced Science News. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "Waves4Power targets global markets with Bnd-Engineering partnership". Offshore Energy. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Waves4Power developments". Maritime Journal. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ a b Annual Report Overview Ocean Energy Activities in 2017 (Report). 15 May 2018. pp. 13, 129. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ Ollson, Maria. "Country Report: Sweden". Ocean Energy Systems. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ Tomasgard, Anne-Mari; Stige, Per Ove (1 September 2015). "Trur på gjennombrot for bølgekraft" [Hoping for a breakthrough for wave power]. Herønytt (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Waves4Power ends test early". ReNews. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ a b Ajdin, Adis (21 May 2020). "Waves4Power eyes EMEC setup in 2021". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Annual Report Overview Ocean Energy Activities in 2018 (Report). Ocean Energy Systems. 18 October 2019. p. 106.
- ^ "Renewable energy: Wave power works". Open Access Government. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ Garanovic, Amir (16 December 2022). "Waves4Power signs deal to develop wave energy parks offshore Indonesia". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 22 September 2024.