Wave energy firm expands Aberdeen base to meet oil & gas decarbonisation push

UK-based wave energy company Mocean Energy has opened a new dedicated office in Aberdeen to meet growing oil and gas interest in decarbonisation of North Sea assets.

The Edinburgh-headquartered specialist is developing a wave energy machine – called the Blue Star – to provide zero carbon power to subsea equipment and future fleets of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

The company currently has its first prototype under tests at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.

The Aberdeen office is being headed up by the firm’s commercial director Ian Crossland, who brings over twenty years’ oil and gas experience, focused on the introduction of disruptive technologies worldwide.

Crossland is backed up by an engineering manager, a design engineer and an industry PhD student. The four-strong Aberdeen team is part of Mocean Energy’s total staff complement of 16, which is set to grow further in the year ahead.

Ian Crossland said: “There is increasing interest in decarbonising North Sea operations and this new office enables us to meet our customers in person to better understand how our technology can meet their needs.

“By bringing the power source close to where it is required, and combining with subsea batteries, Blue Star technology will offer a zero carbon, lower-cost option to umbilicals seen in traditional hub and spoke applications”.

Earlier this year Mocean Energy teamed up with energy storage developers EC-OG alongside Harbour Energy, Baker Hughes and AUV specialists Modus on a demonstration project, part-funded by the Net Zero Technology Centre, to trial the use of subsea power in laboratory conditions, with offshore deployment trials planned for spring 2022.

The development and deployment of Mocean Energy’s prototype has been made possible through £3.3 million from Wave Energy Scotland (WES).

Commenting on the company’s plans, WES managing director Tim Hurst said: “Wave energy has tremendous potential – both in specific applications such as oil and gas, and in the longer term as a significant source of low carbon electricity. We congratulate Mocean Energy on their commercial focus and the contribution their technology can make to a net zero North Sea”.