Swedish wave energy developer CorPower Ocean has partnered with ABB to bring clean energy from the oceans.
CorPower has developed a prototype in the form of a buoy that takes wave power and turns it into electricity.
The buoy in the water, which moves two to three meters up and down, is reinforced with resonance when it generates energy from the waves.
ABB is supporting the project with two medium-voltage motors; one of which will drive the test rig itself, while the other will assist with energy storage. Medium-voltage switchgear that powers the motor and drives the test rig, and medium-voltage switchgear in the buoy that will deal with the energy generated.
ABB Power Grids Sweden will be supplying two transformers, one of which will be located in the buoy. Frequency converters, programming, installation and commissioning will also be provided by ABB.
“We chose ABB because their expertise gave us enormous confidence. They were not the cheapest, but they did have the best expertise. ABB understood what was important to CorPower Ocean ,” says Patrik Möller , founder and CEO of CorPower Ocean.
A prototype on a scale of 1 to 2 has been tested in the waters off Scotland. ABB is now involved in the next phase of the project, which involves building up a full-scale test rig.
The plan for 2022-2023 is then to build a full-scale fleet of buoys so that the company can start generating wave energy in a power grid.
“ This partnership is allowing ABB and CorPower Ocean to put together a team of people with the best expertise when it comes to wave power and sustainable solutions for the energy supply of the future,” says Ulf Hellström , local business manager, ABB Motion in Sweden.