Waves4Power

Waves4Power is a Swedish-based developer of buoy-based Offshore Wave Energy Converter (OWEC) systems.[1] Ongoing research and development is done in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology.[2] A partnership with Dutch engineering specialist BnD-Engineering in 2021 aimed to commercialize and deploy the system on a global scale.[3]

The device is a floating buoy with a long vertical tube containing a "water piston"; this is out-of-phase with the passing waves allowing power to be generated.[4]

A demonstration plant was installed in February 2016 at the Runde Environmental Centre in Norway.[5] This was connected via sub-sea cable to the shore based power grid.[6][7] It was the first grid connected wave energy project in Norway, on 2 June 2017 and rated at 100 kW.[5]

In November 2017, testing of the WaveEl 3.0 was halted a month early due to damage to the anchor.[8] This device went through 12,000 hours (almost 1½ years) of survivability demonstration, providing power into the Norwegian electricity grid for around 4,000 hours.[9] The buoy was 3.0 metres (9.8 ft) in diameter.[4]

In 2018, ongoing long-term grid-connected testing of a 100 kW Wave-EL prototype at Runde was reported.[10]

In 2020, the company received a grant from the EU funded Interreg Ocean DEMO project, enabling it to access the grid-connected test berths at EMEC for three years.[9] The plan was to have six WaveEL devices connected via a hub, and have the device certified by a classification society.[11] However, as of September 2024^[update] these tests have not happene

In 2022, Waves4Power signed a memorandum of understanding with PLN Indonesia Power to develop wave energy parks.[12]

References

1. "Alternative Energy Company - Waves4Power AB | AltEnergyMag". www.altenergymag.com. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
2. Grolms, Martin (15 May 2019). "One Step Forward for Wave Power". Advanced Science News. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
3. "Waves4Power targets global markets with Bnd-Engineering partnership". Offshore Energy. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
4. "Waves4Power developments". Maritime Journal. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
5. Annual Report Overview Ocean Energy Activities in 2017 (Report). 15 May 2018. pp. 13, 129. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
6. Ollson, Maria. "Country Report: Sweden". Ocean Energy Systems. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
7. Tomasgard, Anne-Mari; Stige, Per Ove (1 September 2015). "Trur på gjennombrot for bølgekraft" [Hoping for a breakthrough for wave power]. Herønytt (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
8. "Waves4Power ends test early". ReNews. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
9. Ajdin, Adis (21 May 2020). "Waves4Power eyes EMEC setup in 2021". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
10. Annual Report Overview Ocean Energy Activities in 2018 (Report). Ocean Energy Systems. 18 October 2019. p. 106.
11. "Renewable energy: Wave power works". Open Access Government. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
12. Garanovic, Amir (16 December 2022). "Waves4Power signs deal to develop wave energy parks offshore Indonesia". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 22 September 2024.