SWEL concludes WEC tests off Cyprus

UK registered and Cypriot–based wave energy developer, Sea Wave Energy Limited (SWEL), has completed sea trials of its latest scale device, the Waveline Magnet 9.1 (WM9.1).

SWEL tested its WM9.1 wave energy device off the coast of Dhekelia, Cyprus, from June 16 until July 31, 2016.

The sea trial has allowed SWEL team to measure the WEC’s power output across a range of wave-heights, recording the outputs of up to 4kW.

The company informed that the full-scale power output estimations confirm the genuine commercial viability of wave power as a renewable energy technology, hailing its device as ‘a genuine breakthrough for the wave energy sector’.

Performance results from SWEL’s latest wave energy converter indicate levelized cost of energy (LCOE) projections of less than £100/MWh for a commercial-scale device, SWEL informed.

Adamos Zakheos, SWEL CEO and CTO, said: “After weeks of thorough testing, we are without doubt that a commercial scale WEC could deliver the cheapest power generated from the waves and with the correct R&D in material engineering, we estimate that the prime mover would survive for over 50 years in any sea conditions.”

The WM 9.1 prototype is 56 meters long, and 3 metes wide. It consists of 84 platforms and accommodates around 25 double-acting pumps on board. It is estimated to weigh approximately 1.5 tonnes.

The SWEL team is now seeking additional technical expertise and third party funding to further develop its technology and construct a commercial scale Waveline Magnet device.

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