MacGregor Winches for NEMOS Wave Energy Project

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has won an order to supply winches for the NEMOS wave energy project.

NEMOS employs floating structures that move in a controlled trajectory to capture up to 80 percent of available wave energy, compared to 50 percent achieved by conventional rise and fall systems. Their associated generators and mooring winches can be located on any suitable offshore structure, such as a wind turbine, where they will be protected from seawater and offer easy access for maintenance.

“Combining NEMOS with wind turbines can have a valuable smoothing effect on the power-generation profile of the overall installation, because the build up and decay of wave systems lags behind increase and subsequent decrease in wind strength,” says Marcus Wolter, director, Strategy and Business Development Offshore Deck Machinery, MacGregor.

“Over the coming years, a large number of offshore wind farms will be built, and within these farms there is a considerable wave energy potential. Shared infrastructure, such as subsea cables and substations, could be better utilised, therefore the pro rata costs for energy transport would also decrease.”

The mooring system employs two fibre ropes for each approx. 20m long floating structure. These ropes are controlled by the MacGregor winches, which deliver the optimum degree of movement to maximise energy capture.

Orientation of the floating structures can also be adjusted by the winches when wave direction changes. In extreme conditions, the winches can haul them down well below the surface to avoid storm damage.

The first commercial NEMOS pilot project will be located in the North Sea and it should be fully operational during 2017.