Wave, OTEC developers to pitch at Making Waves event

Wave energy device from Slow Mill Sustainable (SMS) Projects, and Bluerise’s ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) concept have been selected as the innovative ideas to be showcased at Making Waves event.

Making Waves is a high-level speakers event at Afsluitdijk storm barrier that provides a podium for showcasing the most innovative Dutch ideas to garner support for getting past the ‘promising stage’ and reaching the attention of organizations, policy and decision makers, and investors.

In the qualifying round for the event which focused on cross-over themes of water and energy, held on June 20, 2017, six pitchers competed with their innovation.

The audience voted for the first winner, with one-third of the votes going to Erwin Croughs from SMS Projects who won with his wave energy device Slow Mill.

Nick Reijmers from Boskalis and Remi Blokker from Bluerise were selected by the jury as the other two winners.

The innovation of Bluerise is based on the ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) technology, using the heat difference between the deeper ocean and equatorial surface waters to generate energy.

Boskalis won with its concept that utilizes submarine springs to create a sustainable and environmental friendly source of fresh water dubbed Sea Spring Cities.

Other participants at the event included Dynamic Tidal Power, Tocardo Tidal Power, and Ronamic.

The winners will take part at Making Waves event, initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, together with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, to be held on September 7, 2017. The event will showcase innovation from various industries, including water, energy, and environment, among others.

It serves as the grand finale in the selection process for the innovation that will represent the Netherlands at the European level of Ideas from Europe event, to be held in 2018.

Ideas from Europe scouts ideas with societal and economic impact in all European countries, and subsequently facilitates the joint development of these ideas.