WaveSub eyes wind design upgrade

Marine Power Systems (MPS) has launched a tender to acquire the services of a wind turbine specialist that will ensure the company’s modular floating platform integrates seamlessly with both wave and wind power generation technologies.

The UK-based company MPS is developing flexible ocean energy extraction technology that can harness wave energy (WaveSub), wind energy (WindSub), and combined wind and wave energy (DualSub).

All the machines share a common modular floating platform technology developed by and proprietary to MPS that has cost and deployment advantages over other floating platform approaches, according to the company.

To enable the successful development of this technology, a full-scale WaveSub prototype – a proprietary wave energy technology to MPS – will be designed and deployed.

The WaveSub prototype will first be configured for wave energy extraction with one wave energy convertor attached, MPS noted.

Upon completion of the WaveSub prototype operation, the platform will be demobilized, refitted with a wind turbine, and then re-deployed as DualSub to demonstrate combined wave and floating wind, according to MPS.

When it comes to wind turbine specialist, MPS said they should have a demonstrable experience in wind turbine design, floating offshore wind, and technical due diligence.

MPS noted that evidence must be given of the supplier’s quality, safety and environmental processes.

The deadline for submission of bids has been set for January 15, 2021.

To remind, MPS has recently selected London Marine Consultants for the delivery of two packages of work supporting the first stage of WaveSub full-scale prototype development.

The platform package involves the overall design of the floating structure integrating the various subsystems, while the deployment package focuses on the connection of the platform to the mooring system and safe and efficient deployment of the platform at sea.

The project that will demonstrate both the WaveSub wave energy device and DualSub at large scale is expected to hit the water in 2023, MPS said earlier.