OceanEnergy
OceanEnergy is an Irish wave energy developer
EMEC Demonstration – OE35
OceanEnergy has signed up to demonstrate its OE35 floating wave energy converter at EMEC’s Billia Croo wave energy test site.
The 1 MW OE35 wave energy converter floats on the ocean’s surface, with the lower part of the machine open to the sea. Waves cause a water column within the device to rise and fall, creating pressurised air to rotate a turbine. This generates electricity which will be fed into the UK grid via EMEC’s subsea cable and onshore substation.
The OE35 incorporates well-proven ship-building techniques and has only one moving part which is above sea level, increasing survivability, reliability and availability.
EMEC will support OceanEnergy with environmental monitoring. A series of field campaigns will include underwater and airborne acoustics, biophysical assessment of wave dynamics, fish aggregation and seabird analysis to assess the potential interactions between local species and the operation of the technology.
As an accredited test facility, EMEC will undertake technical inspection and performance assessment to confirm that the OE35 and moorings satisfies reliability, survivability and performance targets and adhere to IEC international standards.
The demonstration is supported by the WEDUSEA project, co-funded by the EU Horizon Europe Programme and Innovate UK.
