UK wave technology development company Marine Power Systems (MPS) has installed its prototype WaveSub wave energy converter at marine test centre FaBTest, marking the start of a new phase of sea-based testing.
The WaveSub will now run through the final stages of on-site commissioning before energy generation tests kick off later this summer, the company informed.
The arrival of the WaveSub at FaBTest follows a 169 nautical mile tow from Milford Haven to Falmouth.
The WaveSub will now enter the final phase of on-site commission based testing before being connected to the power buoy for in-depth energy generational capacity testing across a range of sea conditions. At the full scale, each 100 meters long, 5-megawatt (MW) WaveSub will be able to power approximately 5,000 homes.
Dr Graham Foster , chief technology officer at MPS said: “The successful installation of the WaveSub at FaBTest is another positive result for us, sitting within a suite of tests we have been running on the WaveSub over the first half of this year. We will now focus our attention on moving the WaveSub through final commissioning with a view to commencing energy generation trials later this summer. This move to FaBTest is another step forwards for MPS, taking us further along the path to full-scale manufacture and commercial roll-out of the WaveSub.”
Dr Gareth Stockman , CEO of Marine Power Systems added: “The UK’s wave sector is currently world leading. With 35% of Europe’s wave resource lying here on our coastlines, we’re well placed to keep hold of this title. MPS believe that with continued support and investment, wave energy can grow to become a new source of low carbon power as well as being a significant contributor to the UK’s fast-growing renewables economy. Founding member of FaBTest, Prof. Lars Johanning , said : “We are delighted to be working with MPS on the sea trials of its WaveSub device in Falmouth Bay. We would like to congratulate them on completing installation and look forward to supporting operations as the novel device undergoes analysis at the FaBTest nursery test facility over the coming months.”