Renewables build up, one LEGO brick at a time

Finnish developer AW-Energy has assembled its WaveRoller wave energy device. However, it was built using LEGO bricks to spark interest on the scalable wave energy solution.

A miniature of the WaveRoller device, sized 0,5m x 0,5m, along with the information on full-scale device ready for commercial roll-out is expected to raise awareness and generate interest in the clean and scalable wave energy solution.

The model is set to showcase the pioneering innovation and represent green energy technology at the stand of the Europan Union at the CEM8 Clean Energy Technology Exhibition next month in China.

John Liljelund, CEO of AW-Energy, said: “In our view, LEGO promotes creating entirely new models with little in common with the building instructions that come with the sets. A similar approach has inspired our team all along the development path and given all of us something that has an amazing potential to shape the energy mix towards a more sustainable future.”

The 350kW WaveRoller device, equipped with parts supplied by Wärtsilä, will be installed later this year at Peniche, off the coast of Portugal.

This is not the first renewable energy device model built by LEGO Group.

Namely, the Group has recently constructed the largest ever LEGO brick wind turbine, a 7.5 meters tall Guinness World Records title, to celebrate the achievement of balancing 100% of its energy use with energy from renewable sources three years ahead of schedule.

The model was built to raise awareness of the importance of renewable energy, and to further inspire children to engage in environmental issues.

Bali Padda, CEO of the LEGO Group said: “We see children as our role models and as we take action in reducing our environmental impact as a company, we will also continue to work to inspire children around the world by engaging them in environmental and social issues.”

Reaching the 100% renewable milestone was a target inspired by the LEGO Group’s partnership with the WWF Climate Savers program.

The LEGO Group works with other partners to advocate for investment in renewable energy and has joined the RE100, a global initiative of companies committed to using 100% renewable energy.