Finnish wave energy developer AW-Energy has recently received a manufacturing certificate, as proof of technology from Lloyd’s Register.
The company’s newest project to convert the energy from ocean waves into an endless source of sustainable electricity using WaveRoller technology is underway off the coast of Portugal (SURGE2 project).
Lloyd’s Register surveyors inspected the WaveRoller manufacturing to ensure that the manufacturing processes were in accordance with the specified codes and standards; that the components were in accordance with the accepted drawings and that the manufacturing process and final product is to an acceptable quality and fit for purpose.
This manufacturing certificate issued in the ocean energy sector follows the technology certification and design certification.
The WaveRoller is a device that converts ocean wave energy to electricity. The machine operates in near-shore areas (approximately 0.3-2 km from the shore) at depths of between 8 and 20 meters. Depending on tidal conditions it is mostly or fully submerged and fixed to the seabed. A single WaveRoller unit (one panel and PTO combination) is rated at between 350kW and 1000kW, with a capacity factor of 25-50% depending on wave conditions at the project site. The technology can be deployed as single units or in farms.
The SURGE2 project follows the successful SURGE project, where AW-Energy demonstrated the technology with a grid connected device producing electricity to the Portuguese grid from a site fully exposed to the ocean storms.
This project, SURGE2, is also designated the FOAK (First of a Kind) project and has been designed to meet ESB’s WestWave requirements.
Manufacturing of the main components for this new industry (begun in 2016) have been sourced globally – Canada, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and UK; the main subsystems are the foundation, power take off, panel and panel bearings. The project was financed by AW-Energy and a loan from Finland’s TEKES (now Business Finland).
Completion of the site is underway before the deployment takes place.