WavePOD bags £2 mln from WES

The WavePOD project has received a grant from Wave Energy Scotland (WES) for the development of a universal power take-off system for wave energy devices, used to convert mechanical energy to electricity.

The WavePOD (Wave Power Offtake Device) project is jointly developed by Bosch Rexroth, Aquamarine Power, and Carnegie Wave Energy, through its UK subisidiary CWE UK.

With WES support, the WavePOD team proposes to complete Stage 3 testing and simulation and deliver the design and specification for a full-scale prototype WavePOD, moving WavePOD from technology readiness level (TRL) 4 to 6 – from technology validated in laboratory, to technology demonstrated in an industrially relevant environment.

The WavePOD project is expected to deliver a fully tested hydraulic power take-off (PTO) prototype system together with the design and specification for a full-scale system for subsequent integration into a full scale CETO device.

According to Carnegie Wave, the project will take 18 months to design, deliver and test a 1/10th scale prototype plus the full scale system design and specification.

The full scale WavePOD system will be targeted for use in Carnegie’s first UK project due for operation in 2018, following the delivery of Carnegie’s CETO 6 Project off Garden Island in Western Australia, Carnegie Wave’s press release reads.

Jonathan Fiévez, Carnegie’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “The ultimate goal of WavePOD is to have a Power Take Off with manufacturer guaranteed performance delivered to Carnegie ready to load directly into our CETO Unit. The WavePOD project complements Carnegie’s existing Power Take Off development for the CETO 6 Garden Island project already underway with Bosch Rexroth. It will provide a system that can be integrated into Carnegie’s first UK projects.”

Carnegie Wave Energy is an Australian wave energy developer that has established a UK subsidiary CWE UK in 2013 to develop commercial and pre-commercial projects in the United Kingdom.

Bosch Rexroth is a European original manufacturer of drive and control equipment for mobile and machinery applications, factory automation and renewable energy.

Aquamarine Power is a Scottish based developer of the near shore Oyster wave energy converter technology.